Javier Aguirre challenges Mexico to be 'fearless' ahead of South Korea World Cup clash

The co-hosts opened their campaign with a 2-0 victory over South Africa, but Aguirre admitted several members of his squad struggled to cope with the pressure of playing in front of their home supporters. Ten of Mexico's players were making their World Cup debuts in that match.

Aguirre said he understood the anxiety that comes with a first appearance on football's biggest stage, but warned that excuses would no longer be accepted.

"I granted them the benefit of the doubt for the nervousness of a debut," Aguirre said. "But I told them I can no longer allow a player, because of the stage, to be unable to make a three- or four-metre pass or a movement they have trained for."

Mexico face a South Korea side full of confidence after their 2-1 victory over Czechia. Aguirre identified the Asian side's pace on the counter-attack as the biggest danger and revealed that Mexico had spent time working on ways to stop it.

"The speed of the Koreans going forward – we have trained on how to nullify it," he said. "We have to be attentive when we are attacking. If there are two Koreans, there must be at least three Mexicans."

The experienced coach also shared his thoughts on FIFA's hydration breaks, which have sparked debate during the tournament. Rather than criticising the pauses, Aguirre said they offered managers a valuable opportunity to communicate with their teams.

"We take advantage of the rules," he explained. "It allows you to give instructions while the players drink water. I use those breaks to correct things I see."

Aguirre also welcomed modern innovations such as VAR and real-time technology, saying they had improved the sport.

Despite more than five decades in football, the 67-year-old admitted he still feels nervous before every match.

"I have 50 years in this blessed football and I still feel a strange nervousness before every game," Aguirre said. "The day I don't feel that, I'll go home."

Mexico will hope to secure a place in the knockout stages when they face South Korea before completing their Group A campaign against Czechia.