Brazilian football fans may not be too happy about it, but reigning Olympic champions Mexico have booked their place at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

The Mexicans will defend the crown they won against Brazil in the London 2012 final after they triumphed in the Olympic Qualifying tournament for North and Central America and the Caribbean, FIFA has confirmed.

El Tricolor defeated Honduras 2-0 in the final in Salt Lake City, USA, on Tuesday (13 October). Honduras, who had beaten the USA 2-0 in the semi-finals thanks to two goals from Alberth Elis, also secured their place in the Rio Olympic Games.

Mexico's Erick Aguirre tackles Elder Torres of Honduras in the final (Photo Getty Images/Gene Sweeney Jr)

Mexico won the final thanks to an own goal by Bryan Acosta in the first half, followed by a spectacular 30-yard strike by Victor Guzman in the second half. Hirving Lozano, a 19-year-old midfielder, stood out for Mexico with his dribbling and shooting and was awarded with the Golden Ball for the tournament.

Mexico ended Brazil’s hopes of winning the one major title they lack at the London Games, when they beat the favourites 2-1 in the final at Wembley Stadium. Five-time FIFA World Cup winners Brazil have three silvers and two bronzes in Olympic football, and star player Neymar is desperate to lead them to glory on home soil next year.

The USA defeated Canada 2-0 in the third-place play-off and will now face Colombia in March in a play-off for a place at the Olympic Games. The hosts finished the tournament as top scorers on 15 goals, with Stuttgart forward Jerome Kiesewetter bagging four.

Jerome Kiesewetter of the USA scores a penalty against Canada (Photo Getty Images/Gene Sweeney Jr)

Mexico and Honduras are the eighth and ninth men’s football teams to confirm their presence at Rio 2016, joining Brazil, Argentina, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Portugal, Fiji.

The men’s Olympic football tournament is contested by under-23 teams, although each squad may have three ‘over-age’ players.