MEXICO CITY, June 10 -- The city of Santos, in Sao Paulo state, Brazil, welcomed Mexico's national football team with a celebration, the Mexican Football Federation announced Tuesday.

Mexico is one of 32 teams competing at the 2014 Brazil World Cup, which kicks off Thursday.

The general director of Mexico's national teams, Hector Gonzalez Inarritu, thanked Mayor Paulo Alexandre Barbosa for Monday night's festivity, which took place at Monte Serrat, the second-highest mountain peak in Santos, and accessible via a cable car.

According to Gonzalez, the Mexican team is working hard and is highly motivated, and has been buoyed by the kind reception it has received from Brazilians, allowing both players and their trainers to work comfortably.

The team will remain in Santos till Wednesday, June 11, when it will travel to Natal for its June 13 game against Cameroon. The following day, the team travels to the seaside resort of Recife, where the players' families are staying.

A luncheon has been organized in Recife for the players and their families, to afford them some time together, which is considered good for the athletes.

The sports director of Mexico's national team, Ricardo Pelaez, said the team is solid and committed to doing well.

"There is solidarity, hope and commitment among all the players. I see a good atmosphere, there's joy and rivalry, important factors in order to be closer to success than to failure," he said.

Asked about the struggle between Guillermo Ochoa and Jesus Corona for the goalkeeping post in Friday's match against Cameroon, Pelaez said three players, including Alfredo Talavera, were vying for that position, and all are equally as good.

"Here we have a national team, not just a team. A national team has the best and there will always be a struggle for the top posts. Fortunately, there is solidarity (and) and the value of camaraderie. No matter who plays, he will give it his all," said Pelaez.