The 1970s started in some style with Mexico playing a role in making the 1970 tournament, which they hosted, so memorable. Javier de la Torre's team cruised through the group stage with wins over Belgium and El Salvador and a draw with the Soviet Union, before exiting in the Quarter Final to Italy.

The rest of the decade brought little to cheer, however. Mexico failed to qualify at all for the 1974 tournament as important players like Enrique Borja came to the end of their international careers. The national team did reach the 1978 tournament but were well out of their depth in Argentina, losing all three of their matches with the nadir a 6-0 defeat to West Germany. A young Hugo Sanchez was in the squad, but he was too inexperienced to make an impression.