Rafael Marquez wants to take Mexico to another level after assuming the role of manager, using the foundation established during the 2026 World Cup to keep improving — and grow the team’s identity.
“I’m not starting from zero. Having worked with Javier [Aguirre] from start to finish gives me great confidence in continuing this process,” Marquez said on Thursday. “I already know the players and the environment well, and I’ve been supported by a group of experienced people who have operated at the highest levels. That is exactly what we want: to take this national team to another level.”
The Mexican football federation held an official presentation for Marquez and his coaching staff at the Centro de Alto Rendimiento on Thursday to kick off their stint in charge of the national team.
Marquez first joined Mexico as an assistant coach in 2024 under Aguirre, before transitioning to the role of manager upon the conclusion of the 2026 World Cup. He will now lead Mexico with the help of assistant coaches Andres Guardado, Juan Manuel Lillo and Vidal Paloma, goalkeeping coach Xabier Mancisidor and athletic trainer Pol Lorente.
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“To be honest, I am very happy and excited to take on this responsibility. When the opportunity to come here was first proposed, and has now become a reality, I was thrilled from the very start,” Marquez said. “I am especially grateful to Javier for opening the door for me to join his coaching staff and learn from the best coach we’ve ever had in Mexico.
“Given the results we achieved at the World Cup, I feel very positive about the situation. I know I won’t be starting from scratch. There is continuity and a solid foundation already in place, which makes me very excited about the prospect of helping this national team grow.”
Mexico won four consecutive games at the 2026 World Cup, qualifying to the round of 16 before ultimately falling 3-2 to England at the Estadio Ciudad de Mexico.
“I didn’t get the opportunity [to reach the World Cup quarterfinals] as a player. After five World Cups, unfortunately we always reached the same phase, but today I have this opportunity,” Marquez said. “The objective of this process is to reach the World Cup first, qualify in the next four years.
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“It’s a process, we have to start. I am very hopeful that we’ll reach the World Cup and do something different than what has been done in the past.”
Marquez, 47, will debut as Mexico coach during the September/October international window, kicking off with a friendly against Colombia on Sept. 26, in Baltimore — the first of four friendlies in the U.S.
The other three opponents are: Peru (Sept. 29 in Harrison, N.J.); the United States (Oct. 3 in Glendale, Arizona), and Chile (Oct. 6 in Los Angeles).
As a player, he Márquez won the 1999 Confederations Cup, and claimed Gold Cup titles in 2003 and 2011.
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In Europe, he played for Monaco before a trophy-laden stint at Barcelona.
Márquez transitioned to coaching in Real Alcalá’s youth ranks before successfully managing Barça Atlètic, Barcelona’s reserve team, where he was in charge for 82 matches over two seasons.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
