Rafael Marquez will replace Javier Aguirre as manager of Mexico’s national team after the FIFA World ​Cup 2026, Mexico Football Federation’s sporting director Duilio Davino confirmed in ‌an interview with Fox Sports Mexico on Monday.

Marquez, ​a legendary defender for FC Barcelona ⁠as well as the Mexican national team, has served as an assistant coach on Aguirre’s Mexican national team staff since ‌July 2024, when the pair were both hired with a succession plan in place.

“His ‌contract is signed and his staff is ‌nearly ⁠80 per cent set,” Davino said of Marquez. “Andres (Guardado) is ⁠an option (to join Rafa’s staff). Off the pitch, Marquez is a (big) personality. On the pitch today, as both an assistant and a ​coach, Rafa is ‌the way he was as a player. He transforms inside a dressing room.”

Mexico is hosting 13 matches — including all three of the country’s group-stage ‌matches and three knockout round matches — in ​this summer’s World Cup, which it is co-hosting along with the U.S. and Canada.

Marquez ⁠has minimal coaching experience, previously coaching Alcala’s under-15 team and the Barcelona B squad in Spain before ‌joining Mexico’s coaching staff.

However, he’s one of the most accomplished Mexican players in international history, captaining the country in five World Cups (2002, 2006, 2010, 2014 and 2018) and scoring 17 goals in 147 caps for Mexico from 1997-2018.

He also helped Barcelona ‌win 10 trophies, including a pair of Champions League titles ​and four La Liga championships, during his time with the club from 2003-2010.

Aguirre’s third stint ⁠as Mexico’s manager will come to an end ⁠this summer. The Mexico City native previously led the national team from 2001-02 and 2009-10.

Mexico, ‌which is in Group A of the World Cup, will play the opening match of the ​event on June 11 against South Africa in Mexico City.

Published on Apr 22, 2026