WASHINGTON, Dec. 5 (Xinhua) -- Mexico manager Javier Aguirre said Friday his team's status as a 2026 World Cup co-host would not make it any easier to reach the tournament's knockout stages.
Mexico will face South Africa in the curtain raiser at Azteca Stadium on June 11 in a repeat of the 2010 World Cup opener in Johannesburg.
Friday's World Cup draw in Washington also pitted Aguirre's team in the same group with South Korea and a yet-to-be-determined European qualifier.
"It's a curious anecdote to repeat the [Johannesburg] opener," Aguirre, who was also Mexico's manager in 2010, told reporters after the draw.
"Facing South Africa at the Azteca, then South Korea in Guadalajara, plus the playoff opponent; I think it's good for having a solid first phase, but we have to work twice as hard to have a great World Cup because there are no small rivals."
Former defender Rafael Marquez, who scored a late equalizer against South Africa at Soccer City almost 16 years ago, is now one of Aguirre's assistant coaches.
"It's a wonderful story," said the 67-year-old, who began his third spell as Mexico's head coach last year. "Rafa Marquez scored the equalizer and today he's by my side. Back then we played on their turf; now we'll play on ours. I hope it's a good opening match, I'm very excited about it."
Aguirre did not show a preference for the European qualifier vying for the final spot in Group A.
"It's hard to choose. You can't take anything for granted," he said. "Denmark, North Macedonia, the Czech Republic and Ireland are countries that play very different styles, but as hosts we can compete with anyone."
Next year's tournament will be Aguirre's third World Cup campaign as Mexico's manager. He guided the team to the last 16 of the 2002 tournament in Japan and South Korea before reaching the same stage eight years later. ■
