The Final Year Before the 2026 World Cup
The countdown for Mexico’s national team, known as the “Tri,” has begun. As they approach the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which Mexico will co-host for the third time in its history alongside the United States and Canada, they aim to iron out their style of play. The upcoming summer of 2025, featuring friendlies and the Gold Cup tournament, is crucial for their preparation.
Ex-Player and Analyst Christian ‘Chaco’ Giménez Weighs in on Javier Aguirre’s Management
Christian ‘Chaco’ Giménez, a former Mexican national team player and ex-professional with clubs such as Cruz Azul, Pachuca, and América, shared his insights on Javier Aguirre’s management of the team for El Economista.
“As a coach myself, I try to understand what Javier Aguirre can bring. I’m not him and don’t intend to interfere, but I believe it’s about directing the team’s football philosophy for the World Cup,” Giménez explained.
Aguirre, now in his third tenure as the national team coach since September, is the third Mexican coach in the 2026 World Cup cycle, following Argentine Diego Cocca (2023) and Jaime Lozano (2023-24).
In 10 matches, Aguirre’s record stands at six wins, two draws, and two losses, with 17 goals for and seven against. His best result was winning the Concacaf Nations League title in the recent FIFA date of March, a title Mexico hadn’t claimed since 2021.
Positive Aspects of Aguirre’s Management
Giménez identified stability as a positive aspect of Aguirre’s management, stating, “Javier gave the team more stability and security after a period of coaching instability. I’m not saying it was good or bad, but he provided more stability and confidence to the players.”
One notable example is striker Raúl Jiménez, who transformed his performance under Aguirre’s guidance. After criticism for his lackluster showing in the 2022 Qatar World Cup under Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino, Jiménez became Mexico’s top scorer under Aguirre with six goals and two assists in 451 minutes.
Jiménez scored both goals in Mexico’s victory over Panama in the Liga de Nations 2025 final, solidifying his position as the third-highest goal scorer in national team history with 39 goals.
“Even before I arrived, Raúl had shown great progress in his club. He seemed to be in top form, and we brought him in. My job as a coach is to develop players, enhance their skills, and provide them with tools to improve,” Aguirre said about Jiménez following the Liga de Nations Final Four.
Key Players and Areas for Improvement
Aguirre’s 10 matches have highlighted some consistent performers for the upcoming World Cup: Luis Romo (543 minutes), César Montes (505 minutes), Edson Álvarez (477 minutes), Johan Vásquez, Luis Malagón (450 minutes), and Raúl Jiménez.
Positive results, including a comeback win over Honduras (4-2) in the Liga de Nations quarterfinals and a title against Panama (2-1), along with victories in friendlies like 2-0 over arch-rival USA and 2-0 against Brazil’s Internacional, have led to favorable comments about Aguirre’s management.
Unlike the tenures of Diego Cocca and Jaime Lozano, media discussions now focus on consolidating Aguirre’s plans rather than speculating about his successor, with only 12 months until the World Cup.
“I believe he has a year to solidify his plans. There are uncontrollable factors, but the reality is that he has excellent players experiencing good form. He can build a strong team, and I’m confident he will,” Giménez, now an analyst for Fox Sports, concluded.
Areas Requiring Attention
The search for a distinct playing style focuses on specific positions still lacking solidity. For instance, Aguirre recently employed two strikers in the last two matches, a shift from his previous single-striker approach.
The goalkeeping position remains uncertain, as Luis Ángel Malagón has accumulated the most minutes since Aguirre’s return, while Guillermo Ochoa, with five World Cup appearances, remains in the call-ups.
Mexico may participate in up to six official matches during the Gold Cup, considering group stage matches against the Dominican Republic, Suriname, and Costa Rica, as well as quarterfinals, semifinals, and the final. Additionally, they will play two friendlies against European opponents: Switzerland and Turkey.
As the defending champions of the Concacaf tournament, Mexico is the favorite to win the 2025 Gold Cup, having claimed the 2023 edition under Jaime Lozano’s leadership.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the significance of this summer for Mexico’s national team? This summer, featuring friendlies and the Gold Cup tournament, is crucial for Mexico to refine their playing style ahead of the 2026 World Cup co-hosted with the USA and Canada.
- Who is Javier Aguirre, and what is his role with the national team? Javier Aguirre is a Mexican soccer coach who has taken charge of the national team for the third time since September 2023. He is one of three Mexican coaches in the build-up to the 2026 World Cup.
- What are some positive aspects of Aguirre’s management? Former player Christian ‘Chaco’ Giménez highlighted stability and security as positive aspects of Aguirre’s management, which has given players confidence after a period of coaching instability.
- Which players have shown improvement under Aguirre? Striker Raúl Jiménez has been a standout performer under Aguirre, scoring six goals and providing two assists in 451 minutes. His performance has solidified his position as the third-highest goal scorer in Mexico’s national team history.
- What are the key areas Mexico needs to focus on before the World Cup? Areas requiring attention include solidifying the team’s playing style, particularly in specific positions, and ensuring stability in goalkeeping with experienced options like Guillermo Ochoa.
