Santiago Giménez: Mexico Aiming for Historic Victory at the 2026 World Cup

AC Milan striker Santiago Giménez has high hopes for the Mexican national team in the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup, asserting that they have the potential to lift the trophy despite past disappointments.

Motivated by the missed opportunity at Qatar 2022, Giménez views himself as both a dreamer and a leader, confident that unity and strong offensive partnerships—especially with potential teammate Raúl Jiménez—can lead El Tri to a landmark victory on home soil.

A Personal Mission

Giménez’s conviction is rooted in a deep personal connection to the tournament, which marks a significant occasion as it will be held in Mexico. He firmly believes that they can achieve unprecedented success. “I believe we will make history,” he stated in an ESPN interview. “As I said before, I’m a big dreamer. I want to be a world champion with Mexico.”

He emphasized that believing in such possibilities is essential, advocating for a shared vision across the entire team. In his words, “Believing doesn’t cost anything, and neither does dreaming. Now we have to put it into practice and spread that belief… because 130 million Mexicans together are strong.”

Strategic Partnerships

Looking forward to the tournament, Giménez also discussed his aspirations for forming a formidable partnership with Raúl Jiménez, referring to their on-field chemistry and friendship nurtured during their time on the national team. “We know each other really well, and whenever we’ve played together, we’ve performed at a high level,” he noted. The two players complement each other’s skills, particularly when challenging opponents.

His friendship with Raúl is significant, as he noted, “He’s a great friend… we even text each other on WhatsApp sometimes. When both of us are on the field, it feels like defenses respond differently.”

Motivation from Qatar 2022

The regret of missing out on Qatar 2022 still looms over Giménez, who lamented being close to inclusion in the squad but not making it. This experience intensified his desire to participate in the upcoming World Cup. “That experience left a thorn in me,” he shared. “I’ve dreamed of playing in a World Cup since I was a kid. Being so close last time and not going made that desire even stronger.”

Looking Ahead

As the team prepares for their next friendly against Bolivia, following a victory over Panama, Giménez remains focused on the future, eager to demonstrate Mexico’s capabilities on the world stage as they gear up for an ambitious summer.

For further details about the World Cup, feel free to check the official FIFA site.