Article by Romeo Ene – Published on Tuesday, 21 April 2026 23:52 / Updated on Tuesday, 21 April 2026 23:52
Rafa Marquez (47 years old) will become the new Mexico coach after the 2026 World Championship, a competition organized by this country together with the USA and Canada.
The former captain of the national team currently holds the position of “second” to the selector Javier Aguirre (67 years old).
Rafa Marquez will become the national team coach of Mexico
Sporting director Duilio Davino confirmed that the deal with Marquez is already initialed. The technical staff is outlined in proportion to 80% and would be made up mostly of former internationals.
Andres Guardado is also being considered for the position of assistant coach, while Alfredo Talavera is seen as an option for the goalkeeping coach role.
The Federation's strategy relies on stability and continuity. Officials want to build a competitive team that preserves the identity of Mexican football and gradually prepare a new generation of players with the support of the experience of former internationals, according to Foot Africa.
Rafa Marquez has 147 caps for Mexico, who played in five World Cups (2002, 2006, 2010, 2014 and 2018), and in four of them he was captain.
Javier Aguirre took over the leadership of the national team in August 2024.
As a player, Marquez won the Champions League in 2006 and 2009 and La Liga four times with Barcelona. He is champion in France with Monaco (2000). Together with Mexico, he won the Confederations Cup (1999) and was a finalist in the Copa America (2001).
After retiring in 2018, Rafa Marquez was first sporting director at Atlas, then junior coach at RSD Alcala.
Mexico was assigned to group A at the World Championship. He will meet the Czech Republic, South Africa and South Korea.
