Match between Toluca and ZacatepecMinistry of Culture of the Government of Mexico
Roots and cultural passion
Since its origins in the 19th century, soccer in Mexico has become a fundamental trait of our cultural identity. The first games were held in cities inhabited by English miners such as Pachuca, Real del Monte, and Orizaba.
Match between Puebla and America (1945)Ministry of Culture of the Government of Mexico
The seeds of Mexican soccer
In San Cristóbal, Ecatepec in 1891, soccer matches between the cricket clubs Pearson Wanderers and San Cristóbal Swifts attracted local and media attention, marking a turning point in the popularity of soccer in Mexico.
Match between Guadalajara and Atlante (1940)Ministry of Culture of the Government of Mexico
Pioneers of Mexican soccer
The Pachuca Athletic Club, founded in 1901, was the first club in Mexico dedicated exclusively to soccer. However, the first professional soccer match in the country's history took place in October 1943 in the Liga Mayor, currently known as the first division.
Match between Guadalajara and Real España (1940)Ministry of Culture of the Government of Mexico
An epic beginning
The Liga Mayor kicked off with an exciting match in which the Moctezuma team defeated Real España 3-2. This historic game marked the beginning of the Liga Mayor and laid the foundations for the development of professional soccer in Mexico.
Match between Necaxa and Moctezuma (1940)Ministry of Culture of the Government of Mexico
The beginning of professionalization
The pioneering team Unión Deportiva Moctezuma de Orizaba marked the professionalization of soccer in Mexico. Sponsored by the brewery of the same name, it became a prominent local representative in the Liga Mayor.
Match between Atlante and America (1940)Ministry of Culture of the Government of Mexico
The first venues
At the national level, the Liga Mayor had one team from Veracruz, two teams from Guadalajara, two teams from Orizaba, while the other 10 teams were based in Mexico City.
Pumas UNAM goal against Puebla (1957-09-22)Ministry of Culture of the Government of Mexico
The birth of professional leagues
Despite disparities between the teams and their relationship with the territory, from the beginning, national soccer was presented as a separate entity from the regional amateur qualification tournaments held throughout the country.
Exciting venues
Both Parque Asturias in the country's capital and Parque Atlas in Guadalajara became popular venues that attracted numerous supporters of the teams.
Necaxa goal against Atlante (1957)Ministry of Culture of the Government of Mexico
Controversies in the early days of Mexican soccer
The evolution of soccer in our country was marked by controversies. A notable example is the decree issued in 1945 by President Manuel Ávila Camacho, which established restrictions on the participation of foreign players in national teams.
Match between Necaxa and Marte (1940)Ministry of Culture of the Government of Mexico
Restrictions on foreign players
Participation was limited to four foreign players per team, including refugees and naturalized Mexican citizens. Most of these players were of Spanish origin, followed by French, British, and German.
UNAM team (1955)Ministry of Culture of the Government of Mexico
Union of cultures
Soccer, seen as a form of socialization among communities, had its roots in the British diaspora in Mexico, composed of Scots, Welsh, and Irish. This influence was not limited to a specific time or group, but was the result of various efforts.
Atlante match (1940)Ministry of Culture of the Government of Mexico
Promotion of public hygiene
It is important to highlight that the federal government provided a great boost to this sport. From the government's perspective, soccer helped keep the population away from vices and bad habits, thus promoting 'public hygiene'.
The visit by Club Barcelona
President Lázaro Cárdenas, a sympathizer of the republican cause during the Spanish Civil War, welcomed Club Barcelona during its visit to Mexico.
Match between the Mexican National Team and Club Barcelona (1937-07)Ministry of Culture of the Government of Mexico
A successful visit
Between June 20 and September 20, 1973, this team played 10 matches in Mexico and four in the United States, achieving international recognition and generating profits equivalent to 461,799.10 pesetas.
Major League teams (1940)Ministry of Culture of the Government of Mexico
National teams in local leagues
During this extensive soccer journey, the Basque national team participated in the amateur league of the Federal District for a year under the name Euzkadi.
Match between the Mexican and Canadian teams (1957-07-01)Ministry of Culture of the Government of Mexico
Mexican soccer on the international stage
Since obtaining official recognition from FIFA in 1929, Mexico has sent representative teams to international competitions such as the Central American and Caribbean Games, Pan American Games, and Olympic Games.
Mexico in World Cups
During the early years of soccer's professionalization in Mexico, the Mexican national team was present at all editions of the Soccer World Cup, except 1934 and 1938.
Peñarol's fourth goal against Guadalajara (1957-02-03)Ministry of Culture of the Government of Mexico
Mexico 1970: Pele's World Cup
Two years after the 1968 Olympic Games, Mexico hosted the ninth edition of the Soccer World Cup. This tournament witnessed the crowning of Pele as world champion at the iconic Azteca Stadium, known as the Colossus of Santa Úrsula.
Match of the Mexican National Team (1957-12-20)Ministry of Culture of the Government of Mexico
Media influence
Unlike the Olympic Games, the government was overshadowed by the influence of the media, television networks, and private initiative in the dissemination of soccer.
Women's World Cup (1970-10-19)Ministry of Culture of the Government of Mexico
Soccer in Mexico:
A sport adopted as a tradition by generations of Mexicans.
This story was created with information and support from Instituto Nacional de Estudios Históricos de las Revoluciones de México.
