Rafael Márquez appointed Mexico coach ahead of 2030 World Cup

The Mexican Football Federation (FMF) confirmed that former Barcelona defender Rafael Márquez has been appointed the new head coach of the Mexico national team, succeeding Javier Aguirre after the squad’s Round‑of‑16 loss to England at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The move follows a succession plan outlined in August 2024, where Márquez served as Aguirre’s assistant throughout the 2026 campaign. The appointment is framed as the next phase of the FMF’s “Project Deportivo 2030,” a long‑term programme aimed at building a competitive side for the 2030 World Cup. Márquez, 47, signed a contract running to July 2030 and will take charge in the September 2026 FIFA international window, with his first match expected in a friendly against Colombia in Los Ángeles. He will be supported by a technical staff that includes former player‑captain Andrés Guardado as chief assistant, former goalkeeper Alfredo Talavera as goalkeeping coach, and other specialists drawn from Mexican and European football. The federation highlighted the continuity of the project, the development of young talent that emerged in the 2026 tournament, and the goal of restoring Mexico’s prominence on the world stage.