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Javier Aguirre Backs Rafael Márquez for 2026 World Cup; Praises His Rapid Progress
🇲🇽 Mexico /Sports

Javier Aguirre Backs Rafael Márquez for 2026 World Cup; Praises His Rapid Progress

From El Universal · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Javier Aguirre, Mexico's national football team coach, expressed strong support for Rafael Márquez's continued role as coach through the 2026 World Cup.
  • Aguirre praised Márquez's rapid evolution and readiness to lead the team, dismissing rumors about his potential departure.
  • Aguirre also shared his personal excitement for his third World Cup as a coach, emphasizing the unique experience for his players.

Javier Aguirre, the coach of the Mexican national football team, has publicly backed Rafael Márquez to continue in his coaching role through the 2026 World Cup, dismissing rumors suggesting otherwise.

Rafa... is happy with the national team, he is seeing what's next, Copa Oro, all the rest. He is more than prepared to continue, we work shoulder to shoulder and Rafa's evolution is by leaps and bounds.

— Javier AguirreExpressing confidence in Rafael Márquez's readiness and development as a coach.

Aguirre stated that Márquez is happy with the national team and is fully prepared to continue, highlighting his significant progress. "Rafa... is happy with the national team, he is seeing what's next, Copa Oro, all the rest. He is more than prepared to continue, we work shoulder to shoulder and Rafa's evolution is by leaps and bounds," Aguirre declared before Mexico's match against Serbia.

Aguirre, who will be participating in his third World Cup as a coach, added that Márquez is clearly the coach and he sees no issues with his performance. Márquez, a former Mexican national team captain who played in five World Cups, has limited head coaching experience, primarily with Barcelona B before joining Aguirre's staff. Aguirre himself will step down after the 2026 World Cup, and his future remains uncertain, though he dismissed speculation about taking on a coordination role with the national team as mere rumors.

Today you see him and you know he is the coach, I step aside, I see him work and I don't see any major problem with it.

— Javier AguirreAffirming Rafael Márquez's position and capabilities as the current coach.

Looking ahead to his third World Cup, Aguirre expressed immense enthusiasm, stating, "I am neither anxious nor nervous... I have an illusion I've never felt before. I've been in football for over 50 years and I tell my players that they will boast about this experience for the rest of their lives."

I am neither anxious nor nervous... I have an illusion I've never felt before. I've been in football for over 50 years and I tell my players that they will boast about this experience for the rest of their lives.

— Javier AguirreDescribing his personal feelings and excitement about coaching in his third World Cup.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by El Universal in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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