Aguirre, 50, originally took charge of Mexico in 2001 leading them to the final of the Copa America that year and then on to the 2002 World Cup.

In a tough group that involved Italy, Croatia and Ecuador, Mexico finished top but old enemy USA knocked them out at the first knockout stage.

He left the job to take charge of Spanish club Osasuna but returned in April 2009 after Eriksson's serial losses took the club to fifth in their qualifying group.

Aguirre transformed the side securing five wins and one draw while losing just one game.

As a player, midfielder Aguirre was part of the Mexican side that reached the 1986 World Cup quarter-finals. He was sent off in the defeat to West Germany.

DANGER MAN:

THERE is no doubt among fans that veteran playmaker Cuauhtemoc Blanco, 36, is the man who makes this Mexican side tick.

It was clear that Aguirre's young side were suffering from a lack of direction on the pitch and when Blanco heeded a call to return to the international fold, his impact was instant.

He scored three crucial goals in qualifying for South Africa and became the perfect foil for players such as Tottenham's Giovani dos Santos.

Before that, Blanco had featured prominently in Mexico squads for France 98 and Japan/Korea 2002.

He has tasted international tournament victory in the CONCACAF Gold Cup in 1996 and 1998 and was awarded both the Golden Boot and the Silver Ball after lifting the 1999 Confederations Cup.

But in 107 appearances for Mexico, he is probably most famous for performing the Cuautemina trick or Blanco bounce in the 1998 World Cup.

The skill, imitated in millions of playgrounds since, involves trapping the ball in between feet and performing a bunny hop with it.

Veracruz player Blanco has just ended a three-year stint in the MLS with Chicago Fire where his $2.7m per year contract was dwarfed only by David Beckham at LA Galaxy.

ROUTE TO WC:

MEXICO secured the second automatic qualifying place in their group by laboring to a 2-2 with Trinidad & Tobago.

USA topped the group but were only just ahead of their closest rivals with 20 points. But both sides shared an identical goal difference.

WORLD CUP RECORD:

1930: R1

1950: R1

1954: R1

1958: R1

1962: R1

1966: R1

1970: QF

1978: R1

1986: QF

1994: R2

1998: R2

2002: R2

2006: R2

HIGHLIGHT:

MUCH was expected of Mexico as hosts of the 1986 tournament. And Bora Milutinovic's side did their nation proud by making it to the quarter-finals where they lost to eventual runners-up West Germany on penalties.

POPULATION: 111m

PROFESSIONAL TEAMS: 311

NATIONAL BEER: Corona