Rafael Márquez prepares first Mexican National Team squad

Rafael Márquez is preparing his first squad as head coach of the Mexican National Team for the upcoming FIFA international window. The team is scheduled to play four friendly matches in the United States against Colombia, Peru, the United States, and Chile.

Márquez intends to maintain a core group of players from the 2026 World Cup roster to ensure a gradual transition, though several new names are being considered for a generational shift. Potential additions include Santiago Sandoval, Hugo Camberos, Alan Cervantes, Iván Tona, and Isaías Violante.

The selection process faces logistical constraints: because the first match against Colombia on September 26 coincides with Matchday 10 of the Liga MX, the Mexican Football Federation (FMF) has restricted the coach to calling a maximum of two players per club for that specific game.

In addition to Márquez, the coaching staff features Andrés Guardado as an assistant. The new technical direction has faced some criticism from former coach Ricardo La Volpe regarding the inclusion of foreign staff members within the coaching hierarchy.