Mexico's national team awoke with the same taste of elimination from a World Cup, although with the illusion that Rafael Marquez, successor to coach Javier Aguirre, will be in charge of harvesting in 2030 the fruits that the 'Vasco' team sowed.

What happened in the 2026 World Cup?

The 2026 World Cup left a process rich in expectations, but it was full of inconsistencies since Argentine Gerardo Martino failed to qualify the Mexican national team for the second round of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. The Mexican directors made mistakes before resorting to Aguirre as a firefighter to have a decent World Cup.

What comes next for the Mexican national team?

Rafael Marquez will try to have a complete process with this team, an adventure practically unknown in a selection that stands out for moving its coaches to the taste of its directors and commercial commitments. The former Barcelona player has the task of improving the performance of the team, which is currently in first place in the 2026 World Cup standings, with 9 points and a goal difference of +6, after having won its first three games.

What is the challenge for Marquez?

The challenge for Marquez is to take the Mexican national team beyond the round of 16, something that has not been achieved in four decades. Mexico's hangover in this same instance against England last Sunday is the same as in Russia 2018, Brazil 2014, South Africa 2010, Germany 2006, Korea-Japan 2002, France 1998, and the United States 1994; with a phrase rooted in Mexican football: 'We play like never, we lose like always'. The Mexican national team has an uncertain future, but with Marquez at the helm, it may have the opportunity to change its luck in the 2030 World Cup.