Mexico is set to co‑host the 2026 FIFA World Cup together with the United States and Canada, a milestone that underscores the nation’s deep‑seated love for the beautiful game.
The story begins in the late 19th century when a group of British miners from Cornwall arrived in the mining town of Mineral del Monte, near Pachuca, bringing with them the sport of association football.
The Birth of Mexican Football
In 1892 the Pachuca Football Club was founded, quickly becoming a focal point for the nascent football culture in the region. The club’s early years were marked by friendly matches against the British expatriate community, sparking enthusiasm among local fans.
Two years later, the Pachuca Athletic Club emerged from the merger of the Pachuca Cricket Club, the newly formed Pachuca Football Club, and the Velasco Cricket Club, consolidating cricket and football under one sporting umbrella.
The Athletic Club’s rise was meteoric; it earned promotion to the top flight in 1998 and captured its first league title the following year, a triumph that marked the beginning of a period of sustained success.
Glory on the National and International Stage
Over the ensuing decades, Pachuca amassed six additional league championships, cementing its status as the most decorated Mexican club in terms of domestic titles. The team also made history by winning the Copa Sudamericana, the only Mexican side to achieve that feat, and reached the final of the 2024 Intercontinental Cup, where it finished as runner‑up to Real Madrid.
Beyond the pitch, the legacy of the Cornish miners persists in the town’s culinary traditions. The iconic Cornish pasty was adapted with local ingredients, creating a unique fusion that is celebrated during annual pasty festivals in both Mineral del Monte and its twin town, Redruth in Cornwall.
Today, the intertwined histories of sport, industry, and culture illustrate how a distant corner of England helped shape a footballing identity that continues to resonate across Mexico.