Team: Mexico

Potential to upset the big boys

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Coach: Ricardo La Volpe
Captain: Rafael Marquez
Winners: Never - reached quarter-finals on home soil in 1970 and 1986
Pitted against: Iran, Angola and Portugal
Prospects: Will progress from the group and could stun some big names
Odds: 50-1

Ah, Mexico. A land of funny hats, ponchos, donkeys and tequila? Or, if you prefer, home to World Cup '86, John Motson & crackling telephone lines, Maradona & Lineker, God's helping hand and, lest we forget, Pique, the all singing, all dancing chile pepper, writes Paul O'Hehir

Indeed, Mexico boast a fine tradition at this level having appeared at no less than 12 finals. That said, their qualification group - the Concacaf region - is something akin to the Scottish Premier League with two sides (United States being the other) continuously flexing their muscles and bullying the rest.

Although ranked sixth in the world, Mexico are unlikely to punch at quite that weight. Fifa's ranking system has long since lost credibility and it is little wonder Ricardo La Volpe's side have climbed to such heights when Guatemala and Panama - who actually forced an astonishing draw in qualifying - provide regular opposition.

Nevertheless, Mexico can also hold their own against the big boys and demonstrated as much at the Confederations Cup in Germany last year when beating eventual winners Brazil before losing to Argentina on penalties in the semi-final. Their international friendly record must also be respected.

La Volpe, an Argentine but resident in Mexico for 25 years, won the World Cup as a player in 1978. Despite initial scepticism at his 2003 appointment, he has changed opinions by delivering the goods. Again, not all his victories can be measured against elite opposition but still, a win is a win and, impressively, Mexico have lost just twice under his stewardship.

The manager predicated his side would "walk" the qualifiers and an expectant nation - population 104 million - demand his young, emerging side to deliver this summer. "Reaching the quarter-finals would be historic. That’s what I’ve committed to, and I’m going to achieve it," vowed La Volpe who attempts to emulate the Mexican teams of 1970 and 1986.

He must do so, however, without veteran striker Cuauhtemoc Blanco. The 33-year-old withdrew from the Confederations Cup squad on the eve of the tournament citing tiredness and has only been picked once since. Some 100 protesters recently marched to the Mexican FA's headquarters demanding Blanco's reinstatement but La Volpe turned a blind eye, insisting the demotion was tactical.

"La Volpe can't tell me that I don't fit into his system if I have played under the command of umpteen coaches and have adapted to all of their systems," said Blanco, who then, perhaps lost in translation, maintains his manager does not have "big enough trousers" to recall him.

Controversy aside, Mexico are a fine emerging side. Training camps on Acapulco beach, where players and supporters mingle alike - one pregnant woman had the entire squad sign her stomach - have led to a confident, relaxed demeanour ahead of the finals. Considering their comfortable group, La Volpe's quarter-final predication could well be boxed off and, with youngsters like Francisco Fonseca, Carlos Salcido, Gonzalo Pineda driving the train, it could be some time before 'El Tricolor' run out of steam.

World Cup Squad

Goalkeepers: Oswaldo Sanchez (Guadalajara/Chivas), Guillermo Ochoa (America), Jesus Corona (UAG/Tecos)
Defenders: Jose Antonio Castro (America), Rafael Marquez (Barcelona), Mario Mendez (Monterrey), Ricardo Osorio (Cruz Azul), Francisco Rodriguez (Guadalajara/Chivas), Carlos Salcido (Guadalajara/Chivas), Claudio Suarez (Chivas USA), Andres Guardado (Atlas), Gonzalo Pineda (Guadalajara/Chivas)
Midfielders: Luis Perez (Monterrey), Pavel Pardo (America), Antonio Naelson (Toluca), Rafael Garcia (Atlas), Gerardo Torrado (Cruz Azul), Ramon Morales (Guadalajara/Chivas)
Forwards: Jared Borgetti (Bolton Wanderers), Guillermo Franco (Villarreal), Francisco Fonseca (Cruz Azul), Omar Bravo (Guadalajara/Chivas), Jesus Arellano (Monterrey)