Mexico’s national team closed its World Cup 2026 campaign with a heartfelt farewell to fans: “Thanks for believing”, after a 2-3 loss to England on July 6. El Tri finished the tournament with 9 points (3 wins, 0 draws in 3 games), though their recent form ended in LWWWW -one loss and four wins before that-. With 6 goals scored and 0 conceded (+6 goal difference), Mexico topped its group by 5 points over South Africa.
What happened with Mexico at World Cup 2026?
The side managed by Miguel Herrera delivered an uneven but memorable run. Though a quarterfinal spot slipped after the loss to England, striker Julián Quiñones shined by finishing among the top 10 scorers and in FIFA’s top 10 player rankings. His performances fueled rumors of a move to the Premier League, specifically to Chelsea, according to recent reports.
Meanwhile, fans took to the streets to send off the team. Thousands gathered at the Angel of Independence on July 12 to cheer the players, though Mexico City’s government has yet to confirm official approval for the event. The outpouring contrasted with criticism of Rafael Márquez, now named Mexico’s new coach after the World Cup, over his handling of the press at AICM.
Why Mexico’s World Cup 2026 legacy matters
The tournament left key lessons for the future. Claudia Sheinbaum, president-elect, saw her approval rating jump to 74.2% thanks to national pride in the team’s run, per MetricsMx. The capital’s government even defended El Tri after Eduardo Feinmann apologized for insulting the team live.
Music also paid tribute. Caifanes performed “Aquí no es así” at Estadio GNP Seguros, a direct nod to the national team. Meanwhile, rising star Gilberto Mora earned praise from his agent: “He’ll be Mexico’s face in a few years, as long as his process is respected”, after shining at the World Cup.
What’s next for El Tri after World Cup 2026?
The FMF officially named Rafael Márquez as head coach, with eyes on a project through World Cup 2030. Miguel Herrera backed continuity: “We need to give Rafa time”. The first test will be a friendly against Cabo Verde at Estadio Banorte, a match to audition new talent.
Individually, Julián Quiñones is already a talking point in Europe. After arriving in Monterrey, Adrián de la Garza greeted him with “Welcome home!”, while Chelsea eyes a move. Santi Giménez, meanwhile, faces uncertainty in the European transfer market after the World Cup.
Mexico’s national team exits World Cup 2026 with 9 points, 6 goals scored and 0 conceded, but with the promise of a generational handoff led by players like Quiñones and Mora. The road ahead is painted in blue and white - and it’s just getting started.
