Mexico faces a must-win World Cup qualifier against Panama on Friday or risks missing the tournament, costing millions in endorsements and breaking millions of hearts in the soccer-mad nation.

Coming off a high after winning the 2012 London Olympics gold medal, the Mexicans came into the qualifying campaign as favorites as usual to cruise to next year's World Cup finals in Brazil.

But despite a pool of Europe-based talent that includes Manchester United's Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez, it is dangerously close to missing the tournament for the first time since 1990 after winning only one qualifier.