Rafa Marquez will take over as head coach of Mexico from Javier Aguirre after the 2026 World Cup

Rafael Marquez takes charge of the Mexican national team. The Mexican Football Federation (FMF) announced on Wednesday that former Barcelona star Javier Aguirre will succeed as head coach ahead of the 2030 World Cup.

Marquez, 47, served as Aguirre’s assistant from August 2024 until Mexico’s recent 3-2 round of 16 defeat by England. Although a succession plan had been in place since 2024, rumors circulated that the FMF might look elsewhere.

“The appointment of Rafael Marquez is part of an orderly transition designed to ensure continuity… strengthen development and address upcoming obligations,” the FMF said.

Although El Tri has no immediate matches scheduled, Marquez is expected to make his managerial debut during the FIFA international period in late September and early October.

“I am happy with the growth that Rafa is showing,” Aguirre said of his successor. “I spoke to Rafa because we are both prominent figures in Mexican football – I knew him as a player and teammate – and he is more than qualified.”

The FMF also expressed its gratitude to Aguirre. While Mexico’s campaign ended in the round of 16 – the stage in which the country was eliminated from eight of the last nine World Cups – the team showed marked improvement after failing to progress past the group stage at Qatar 2022.

“He leaves behind a solid legacy of hard work, identity and competitiveness that strengthens the foundation for the next chapter of the national team,” the FMF said of Aguirre, who has just completed his third World Cup cycle as Mexico manager.

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Marquez steps into the role with one of the most decorated resumes in the history of Mexican football. As a player he appeared in five World Cups, winning the 1999 Confederations Cup and claiming the Gold Cup titles in 2003 and 2011.

In Europe he played for Monaco before spending a legendary spell at Barcelona, ​​where he won two Champions League trophies and four La Liga titles. Domestically, he started and ended his career with Atlas and won back-to-back Liga MX titles with Leon.

Marquez moved to coaching in Real Alcala’s youth academy before successfully managing Barca Atletic, Barcelona’s reserve team, where he was in charge of 82 matches over two seasons, with 40 wins, 21 draws and 21 losses.

Published on July 9, 2026