Sibling Rivalry: How USA vs. Mexico Became the Most Contentious, Co-Dependent Feud in World Soccer

A captivating examination of the competitive history, drama, and politics behind the storied rivalry between the United States and Mexico--in international soccer and beyond.

Soccer is the most global of pastimes, but no international rivalry carries more cultural and geo-political baggage than the United States vs. Mexico, especially today. With the 2026 World Cup set to be co-hosted by the two nations (along with Canada), it’s time to shine a spotlight on this storied continental grudge match.

In Sibling Rivalry, Hal Phillips investigates the intense, complex associations between the two countries, both on and off the field. He examines the complicated border dynamics, the countries’ economic and cultural realities, and the evolution of what was once a one-sided rivalry into an intensely equal, ever-escalating athletic confrontation. Phillips also draws on the stories of Mexican-American stars who opted to play for the US and those who chose to play for Mexico. Their perspectives breathe life into the story and show the impact of this rivalry on a personal level.

More than a million people and 300,000 goods-bearing vehicles traverse the U.S.-Mexico border every day. The countries and their people are intricately intertwined, whether they want to be or not. That’s what makes this centuries-old family drama, played out in fascinating detail in Sibling Rivalry, so complicated and compelling.

Hal Phillips is an author, journalist, and media executive based in southern Maine. A daily newspaper and magazine editor until 2001, Phillips has since contributed feature content to ESPN FC, Sports Illustrated, Soccer 365.com, GOLF Magazine, Travel & Leisure, Golf Digest China, Portland Press Herald, and dozens of other outlets. He is the author of Generation Zero: Founding Fathers, Hidden Histories, and the Making of Soccer in America. He was founder and host of the Unsightly American Soccer Podcast from 2009 to 2013 and is a former semi-professional soccer player.