Mexico leads World Cup 2026 with 9 points and a +6 goal difference after 3 games, five clear of South Africa. After the loss to England (2-3), El Tri remains unbeaten in their last five matches, with a style Rafael Márquez will now try to solidify.

Why Barcelona’s system could work for Mexico

Rafael Márquez, Mexico’s new manager, already knows the squad from his time at Barcelona B. Experts like Ral Gutiérrez—former coach of the 2011 U-17 world champions—believe the Blaugrana model can adapt. «Mexican players can compete very well with that base», Gutiérrez said, noting Márquez has the credibility to lead after his work under Javier Aguirre.

What Gutiérrez said about Márquez’s experience

Gutiérrez highlighted Márquez’s role in Aguirre’s process, though he couldn’t measure the full impact. «Being number two isn’t the same as being number one», he said, stressing experience is key. He also criticized recent failures, like Diego Ramírez’s Sub-20 team—second-worst World Cup performance—or Luis Pérez’s elimination in Sub-20 and Olympics.

What’s next for Mexico in World Cup 2026?

El Tri closes group play with a crucial match. After their unbeaten run in the last five games (LWWWW), Márquez must keep the intensity high. Knowing the squad gives him an edge, but the challenge is replicating tactical success in a tournament where every detail matters.

--- Key Mexico stats in World Cup 2026 (as of July 14, 2026): - 9 points (3 wins, 0 draws, 0 losses in 3 games). - 6 goals scored, 0 conceded (+6 goal difference). - 5 points clear of second-placed South Africa. - Last result: Lost 2-3 to England (July 6, 2026). - Recent form: 4 wins, 0 draws, 1 loss in last 5 matches (LWWWW).