In Mexico, Soccer Has Become a Political Piñata
In a country beset by scandal, political upheaval and a battered economy, Mexicans have long sought solace in soccer. Not this year, when Mexico's greatest sports passion and pastime has been unable to escape the nagging allegations of corruption that have entangled virtually every other institution in the country. As a result, fans are turning their backs on the national team.

Group E | Cup Highlights |  Schedule | Roster | Road to France | Facts and Figures

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World Cup Highlights

Will be making their 11th start in the World Cup (1930, '50, '54, '58, '62, '66, '70, '78, '86, '94 and '98)
Quarterfinalists in the World Cup in 1970 and 1986
Made the last 16 in 1994
Finalists in the Copa America in 1993
Ninth appearance in World Cup

First-Round Schedule

Day, Time (EDT) Opponent Site TV Saturday, June 13, 11:30 a.m. South Korea Lyon ESPN2 Saturday, June 20, 11:30 a.m. Belgium Bordeaux ESPN Thursday, June 25, 10 a.m. Netherlands Saint-Etienne ESPN

Complete First-Round Schedule

Roster

Pos. Name Age Club GK Jorge Campos 31 Chicago Fire GK Oswaldo Sanchez 26 America GK Oscar Perez 21 Cruz Azul D Pavel Pardo 21 Atlas D Salvador Carmona 23 Toluca D Isaac Terrazas 23 America D Claudio Suarez 29 Guadalajara D Duilio Davino 22 America D Joel Sanchez 24 Guadalajara M German Villa 25 America M Ramon Ramirez 28 Guadalajara M Jaime Ordiales 35 Toluca M Marcelino Bernal 35 Monterrey M Braulio Luna 24 UNAM Pumas M Jesus Arellano 26 Guadalajara M Alberto Garcia Aspe 30 America M Raul Lara 25 America F Luis Garcia 28 Atlante F Luis Hernandez 29 Necaxa F Ricardo Pelaez 35 America F Cuauhtemoc Blanco 25 Necaxa F Francisco Palencia 25 Cruz Azul

Road to France

Won Lost Tied GF GA 8 2 6 37 13 How Qualified: First place in CONCACAF

Date Result CONCACAF Final Round Nov. 16, 1997 Jamaica 0, Mexico 0 Nov. 9, 1997 Mexico 3, Costa Rica 3 Nov. 2, 1997 Mexico 0, United States 0 Oct. 12, 1997 Canada 2, Mexico 2 Oct. 5, 1997 Mexico 5, El Salvador 0 June 8, 1997 El Salvador 0, Mexico 1 April 20, 1997 United States 2, Mexico 2 April 13, 1997 Mexico 6, Jamaica 0 March 16, 1997 Costa Rica 0, Mexico 0 March 2, 1997 Mexico 4, Canada 0 CONCACAF Semifinal Round Nov. 17, 1996 Jamaica 1, Mexico 0 Nov. 6, 1996 Mexico 3, Honduras 1 Oct. 30, 1996 Mexico 5, St. Vincent/Grenadines 1 Oct. 16, 1996 Mexico 2, Jamaica 1 Sept. 21, 1996 Honduras 2, Mexico 1 Sept. 15, 1996 St. Vincent/Grenadines 0, Mexico 3

Facts and Figures

Knight-Ridder/Tribune
Location: Middle America, bordering the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico, between Belize and the United States and bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between Guatemala and the United States
Population: 97,563,374 (July 1997 estimate)
Capital: Mexico City
Comparative area: Slightly less than three times the size of Texas
Religions: Roman Catholic 89 percent, Protestant 6 percent
Landscape: Extremely varied; high, rugged mountains, low coastal plains, high plateaus and desert