The phrase first gathered momentum before the tournament, when Efrain Juarez was asked about Pumas UNAM and their Liga MX Clausura title hopes. Pumas eventually lost 2-1 to Cruz Azul, but the exchange travelled widely online.
What began as a hopeful question became a national mood. Supporters have used “¿Y si sí?” across memes, videos and tributes to previous Mexico sides, transforming uncertainty into something more defiant.
Guillermo “Memo” Ochoa added his own endorsement with a selfie wearing a straw cowboy hat marked “¿Y si sí?” The veteran goalkeeper’s involvement gave the slogan an extra layer: experience and youthful optimism moving in the same direction.
That optimism now belongs to Gilberto Mora, the 17-year-old attacking midfielder who has repeatedly answered questions about Mexico’s title chances with the same spirit as Hernandez: “why not”. After the group-stage sweep, Mora urged supporters to let themselves dream.
The phrase has even been paired with mariachi music from Juan Gabriel’s celebrated performance at Palacio de Bellas Artes, giving the campaign a distinctly Mexican emotional pulse.
England represent a far more demanding test than the group-stage opponents. They are among the tournament favourites, and knockout football leaves little room for romantic momentum alone. But Mexico have already earned the right to ask the question.
When the last-16 tie arrives, the storyline will be simple: can “¿Y si sí?” survive its first true examination?