Canadian soccer legend Paul Stalteri says Mexico isn’t as scary away from Estadio Azteca.

With Canada set to host Mexico in a massive World Cup qualifier at BC Place on March 25, Stalteri — who was unveiled as Canada’s under-17 men’s national team coach on Thursday — told the Toronto Sun El Tri isn’t the same outside Mexico City.

“One thing with Mexico is they’re a little bit of a different team when they’re at home compared to when they travel,” said Stalteri, who suited up four times for Canada against Mexico during his 13-year international career. “When they travel away from home it’s not the same when you’re not playing in that environment in Mexico City — which is very, very difficult.

“You get them away from that environment out of their comfort zone it’s a different team as opposed to playing at Azteca.

“But we’re talking about — if not the top country in CONCACAF — arguably one of the top two. They’re a difficult team. It seems every single year over the last 30 years they haven’t had a weak team in qualifying.”

The same story applies in the buildup to Russia 2018.

The Mexicans demolished El Salvador late last year before stunning Honduras on the road.

They’ll bring their group-leading six points to Vancouver two months from now before Canada travels to play in Mexico City four days later.

“Right now they’re arguably the best team in CONCACAF,” Stalteri said of Mexico. “It will be a tough matchup but I’ve got to say that (head coach Benito Floro) has done a fantastic job with the boys right now.

“They’ve been peaking at the right moment with two really good results.”

Canada sits second in Group A on four points following a win over Honduras on Matchday 1 and a draw in El Salvador last November.

El Salvador (one point) and Honduras (zero points) sit third and fourth, respectively.

“The group has gone great for (Canada) right now with Honduras struggling,” Stalteri said. “One or two more good results and you’ll see (Canada) in the next round. That’s a great situation for them.”

It’s a situation Canada hasn’t been in since 1998, the last time it qualified for CONCACAF’s final round of World Cup qualifying.