Overview
- Mexico were eliminated from the 2026 World Cup after a 3-2 Round of 16 loss to England, a match that featured two quick first-half goals by Jude Bellingham and a late penalty by Harry Kane.
- Javier Aguirre confirmed the England game would be his last as head coach, apologized to fans for the defeat and asked that responsibility be placed on him rather than the players.
- Rafael Márquez, who had been Aguirre’s assistant under a succession agreement, has been installed as head coach earlier than planned because Aguirre’s contract was due to expire this month.
- Mexico’s run to the knockout stage included four straight wins without conceding and the breakout of young players such as 17-year-old Gilberto Mora, giving the new coach a youthful core to build around.
- The federation and supporters now face a clear task: see if Márquez can convert home advantage and short-term momentum into steady improvement ahead of the next World Cup cycle.