Germany vs Mexico: World Cup head-to-head record
Last updated
Germany and Mexico have met exactly twice at the FIFA World Cup, with each nation winning one match. Germany lead on historical prestige, but Mexico claimed the most recent encounter: a famous 2018 group-stage upset. The overall record reads: played 2, Germany won 1, Mexico won 1, draws 0 — making this one of the more evenly balanced World Cup rivalries between a European giant and a CONCACAF powerhouse.
Their first meeting came in the 1998 knockout rounds, where Germany edged Mexico 2-1 in the Round of 16. Twenty years later, Mexico turned the tables with a stunning 1-0 victory over Germany in the 2018 group stage — one of the most celebrated results in El Tri's modern history.
All-Time World Cup Head-to-Head Summary
Across both meetings, Germany and Mexico are perfectly level: one win apiece and no draws. Germany's victory came in a knockout tie in France 1998, when progression to the quarter-finals was at stake. Mexico's win arrived at the opposite end of the competition spectrum — a group-stage opener in Russia 2018 that sent shockwaves across the football world and remains one of the standout results of that tournament.
Match-by-Match Results Table
| Year | Stage | Result | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | Round of 16 | Germany 2-1 Mexico | Germany |
| 2018 | Group Stage (Matchday 1) | Germany 0-1 Mexico | Mexico |
What Each Result Meant
The 1998 clash in Montpellier ended Mexico's campaign at the last-16 stage, a familiar exit point for El Tri, who have historically struggled to advance beyond the Round of 16 (the so-called quinto partido curse). Germany went on to reach the quarter-finals that year. In 2018, Mexico's victory in Moscow was hugely symbolic — defeating the reigning world champions on matchday one — though Germany's subsequent group-stage elimination meant the sides did not face each other again in Russia. Fans wanting to follow any future clashes between these sides can track live scores and build a bracket on Bola 2026.
Frequently asked questions
How many times have Germany and Mexico played at the World Cup?
Germany and Mexico have met twice at the World Cup: in the 1998 Round of 16 and the 2018 group stage. Each team has won one of those encounters, with no matches ending in a draw.
What was the score when Mexico beat Germany at the 2018 World Cup?
Mexico defeated Germany 1-0 in the 2018 World Cup group stage. It was one of the biggest upsets of the tournament, with Germany going on to be eliminated in the group stage — a historic low for the four-time world champions.
Have Germany and Mexico ever drawn at the World Cup?
No. In their two World Cup meetings (1998 and 2018), there have been zero draws. Germany won in 1998 and Mexico won in 2018, leaving the all-time record perfectly split at one win each.