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For a solid decade, Hector Herrera and the Mexico midfield went hand in hand. The Tijuana-born player flourished in the middle of the park for El Tricolor and was a FIFA World Cup mainstay at Brazil 2014, Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022.

It remains to be seen if the 34-year-old will get a crack with his national team in 2026 when Mexico play on home soil, but there is no denying Herrera’s importance to a squad that produced some magical World Cup moments, including an unforgettable triumph over Germany in Russia.

After starting his career at Mexican side Pachuca and later enjoying title-winning spells at Iberian giants Porto and Atletico Madrid, Herrera now plies his trade in Major League Soccer with the Houston Dynamo.

Herrera tells FIFA that he has found a welcoming home in Houston, a city that will host seven matches at FIFA World Cup 26, and that visitors to the Texan city in two years better bring their passion and….their appetites.

How do you feel about the World Cup returning to Mexico?

It’s an honour to host such an important event like the World Cup in our country and also here in the USA. Now that I live here, it is an honour and a privilege to host this and enjoy such an important event like the World Cup.

Hector Herrera: What are your favourite World Cup memories?

I would say my favourite memories are from the ones I played in. I think my first World Cup in 2014 is the most special one for me in my career and for how I was playing at the time. The truth is that you never forget your first one.

Can you describe your feelings about when you made your World Cup debut?

It’s difficult to find one word to describe those emotions because there are thousands of feelings and dreams that I have had since I was a little boy that are becoming true. It is a great privilege and a big responsibility to represent my country and then afterwards you want to laugh, you want to cry, you want to do everything.

What stands out to you about that Mexico team at Brazil 2014?

The unity and the joy that we had. We joked together, we went to the gym together, we did everything together. There was such great energy in the team and I think you could tell that on the field. It was one of the best national teams that I’ve been on. On the pitch we played very well and we were so close to advancing to such an important game for us [the quarter-final] and doing so against a world-class team like the Netherlands. Our coach [Miguel] ‘El Piojo’ Herrera was very important in that unity and joy. When we had to work, we worked. When it was time to have fun, he was one of us.

And the way he celebrated goals!

I think if you were to do a look at the history of coaches on the sideline in World Cups, he would rank at the top of coaches who most enjoyed being in a World Cup. He went viral around the world with his celebrations! (laughs)

Is the win against Germany in 2018 Mexico’s best World Cup performance?

I think the game against Germany remains the best match I’ve played at an individual level and at a World Cup level. We played a great match collectively, individually, defensively and attacking-wise. The plan went perfect for us.

What did you feel after winning that game?

I think in World Cup terms it was a massive surprise, considering the history Germany have in the tournament, the world class players they had. I would have preferred beating them at the end rather than the start. I’m not sure if it helped or hurt us to start the World Cup that way, at such a high level. I think we all felt and everyone in Mexico felt that we had won the World Cup by the way it was celebrated. We managed to suffer through the match and take advantage of our scoring chance. It was historic for us.

Do you see yourself making a run at playing a fourth World Cup?

Obviously, I would love to be there. I couldn’t say no. But I’m also aware of the moment I’m at in my career. I’m a little bit older now than most of the players, but I’ll never lose hope, and if it comes, great, and if it doesn’t, then I’ll be happy with how I am doing here in Houston. I will always wish the national team the very best because it’s my country. When I was a player, I was a player, but now I’m their number-one fan and I’ll always support them as much as I can, whether it’s watching on TV or at the stadium.

What do you like about Houston as a city?

I like everything about it. I like the city, I like the people and the way they treat you, and even though it’s really hot, I like the weather. Here, you have everything to do. It’s also peaceful. People here are passionate about football and all sports and I think that’s the most special thing.

What would you say about Houston to the people who are coming for the World Cup?

We have restaurants with all types of food, we have very lovely parks. NASA is very close, which is something very interesting for people coming from other countries, and once they’re here, they’ll be treated very well. People here are very caring, very friendly, very attentive, and they will feel like they are at home because in Houston there is a lot of diversity.

Is there already an excitement felt about the World Cup there?

People are going crazy about the World Cup here! Everyone is really excited about the games. It’s a World Cup, it’s a big party and you have to enjoy it both on and off the field. It’s the first time that a World Cup will be played here in Houston and the people that come here, they have to take advantage of eating the barbecue. They better come prepared to go home a little heavier! (laughs).