The eve of history for Mexico

By: Jonny Rico
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Mexico is on the verge of history, on the soccer field and at home in the political arena. Monday July 2nd, 2018 will not be any regular Monday. This Monday will bring the Mexican National soccer team the opportunity to qualify to a fifth World Cup match for the first time. This Monday will also reveal who the new President of Mexico will be following Sunday’s Presidential elections.

Third time looks to be the charm for political outsider Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador. At the time of this post, all polls in Mexico have officially shutdown and the vote counting process has begun. But despite the early stages in the process, Lopez-Obrador is expected to win by a very large margin.

With the exception of two presidential terms (12 years) in which PAN – the second most powerful political party – held the presidency, Mexico has been ruled by one powerful party (PRI). On Sunday Jose Antonio Meade, the PRI candidate, conceded defeat minutes after the polls had closed saying:

“Exit polls are not looking very favorable for us. It Andres Manuel Lopez-Obrador who is showing the most favorable results in the polls and he will be the one responsible for the future of Mexico. He has my support and best wishes.”

PAN candidate Ricardo Anaya also gave a similar speech moments after Meade conceding defeat and offering his support and best wishes to the likely winner Lopez-Obrador. Anaya added that he called Lopez-Obrador personally before giving the speech congratulating him.

Over 6,300 miles away from Mexico in Russia, the five time world champions Brazil come into the Round of 16 match against Mexico as the heavy favorites. But El Tri will be hoping that the final outcome is not as clear as in the presidential elections back at home.

The Mexican National Team are once again out of the group stage of the World Cup and in the Round of 16, this is nothing new, in fact this is almost expected and a given. This is the seventh consecutive World Cup, eighth in the last nine World Cups in which Mexico advances past the group stage and into the knockout rounds.

Unfortunately for Mexico, a second stage loss is almost a given as well. Mexico has never won knockout stage match, Mexico has never qualified to a fifth World Cup match.

Monday July 2nd will bring Mexico its first left-wing politician into the presidency and it can also bring the Mexican National its first World Cup knockout stage win. Mexico prepares for victory on and off the field.