{"id":186161,"date":"2026-07-08T17:44:00","date_gmt":"2026-07-08T21:44:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nuevaonda.com\/its-official-rafa-marquez-is-mexicos-new-coach\/"},"modified":"2026-07-08T17:51:46","modified_gmt":"2026-07-08T21:51:46","slug":"its-official-rafa-marquez-is-mexicos-new-coach","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nuevaonda.com\/en\/its-official-rafa-marquez-is-mexicos-new-coach\/","title":{"rendered":"It’s official! Rafa M\u00e1rquez is Mexico’s new coach"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Mexican Soccer Federation (FMF<\/a>) announced on Wednesday that former Barcelona defender Rafael M\u00e1rquez has been named the new head coach ahead of the 2030 World Cup, where Mexico will aim to be a major contender.<\/p>\n

In a statement, the organization made official an agreement reached on August 1, 2024, when it announced Javier \u201cVasco\u201d Aguirre as head coach through the 2026 World Cup\u2014a tournament in which El Tri was eliminated in the round of 16: \u201cThe appointment of Rafael M\u00e1rquez is part of an orderly transition planned within the FMF\u2019s institutional vision to ensure continuity in the work of the last World Cup cycle and to strengthen the sporting development of Mexico\u2019s national team,\u201d the statement explains.<\/p>\n

<\/h2>\n

He takes on the biggest challenge as head coach of El Tri<\/h2>\n
\"Rafa
PHOTO: Mexico National Team’s Instagram<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

M\u00e1rquez, one of the top three Mexican soccer players in history, played in five World Cups.<\/p>\n

As a defender, he was a leader on the national team, with which he won the 1999 Confederations Cup and two Gold Cups.<\/p>\n

He began his career with Atlas in Mexico, and went on to win France’s Ligue 1 with Monaco during the 1999-2000 season.<\/p>\n

He then went on to play for Barcelona in LaLiga, with whom he won two UEFA Champions League titles, four Spanish League titles, one Club World Cup, one UEFA Super Cup, one Copa del Rey, and three Spanish Super Cups.<\/p>\n

In addition, the defender played for the New York Red Bulls of MLS and Hellas Verona of Italy’s Serie A.<\/p>\n

Before returning to Mexico with Le\u00f3n and the Rojinegros, the team that developed him and with which he retired (Filed under: Rafa M\u00e1rquez coaches Mexico).<\/p>\n

Mexico will try to be a protagonist<\/p>NuevaOnda.com<\/cite><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n

Aguirre Steps Down and Endorses Rafa<\/h2>\n
\n
\n

 <\/p>\n

\n
<\/div>\n
\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
\n
View this post on Instagram<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
\n
\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

A post shared by Selecci\u00f3n Nacional de M\u00e9xico (@miseleccionmx).<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n