Mexico and England share a football legacy that dates back to 1824, just in time for World Cup 2026

Mexico and England share a football legacy that dates back to 1824 connects the roots of modern football culture in Mexico to British mining communities long before the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The article says that in 1824, three years after Mexico’s independence from Spain, engineer John Taylor recruited Cornish miners to Real del Monte in Hidalgo, where silver mining required modernization. During breaks and after shifts, miners organized football matches, with documented organized games in Real del Monte dating back to as early as 1900. The piece links this heritage to local food traditions, noting the Mexican pasty “pastes” as an adaptation of the Cornish pasty. It also ties the origins of Pachuca CF (“Los Tuzos”) to the same mining era. With England preparing for knockout matches in Mexico, the historical connection is being highlighted ahead of the tournament co-hosted by Mexico, the United States, and Canada.