A new era for Mexico's national team
Rafael Márquez, who spent years as an assistant to Javier Aguirre, has now been appointed head coach of Mexico's national side. His appointment follows the team's strong showing at the 2026 World Cup, which was played on home soil, and marks the beginning of a deliberate effort to build on that momentum as the squad looks ahead to the 2030 cycle.
In the coming months the squad will embark on a series of four friendly matches scheduled for September and October 2026. The opponents — Colombia, Peru, the United States and Chile — will all be faced on American soil, a decision driven by a contractual obligation with Soccer United Marketing that requires Mexico to play at least six international friendlies in the United States each year.
The fixtures will be staged in a handful of U.S. venues, including Baltimore, New York, Phoenix and Pasadena, giving the team a chance to test new tactics in front of a passionate Mexican diaspora that is expected to fill the stadiums. The matches are seen as a crucial rehearsal for the tactical identity Márquez wants to instill before competitive fixtures resume.
Beyond the immediate schedule, the arrangement underscores a long‑standing relationship between Mexican football and its U.S. counterpart. The contractual framework not only guarantees a steady stream of games on American turf but also provides a platform for the federation to maintain visibility and engagement with fans across North America.