Rafael Márquez, the legendary former defender for Mexico’s national team, is set to become the new head coach of the squad following the 2026 World Cup, according to Duilio Davino, the team’s sporting director.
Márquez, who currently serves as an assistant to head coach Javier Aguirre, has already signed a contract running through 2030. “Yes, his contract is signed until 2030, and the coaching staff is about 80% formed. Andrés Guardado is one of the options. I’d prefer not to speak about it myself, but let him say it—yes, he is one of the options,” Davino told Fox Sports.
At 47, Márquez enjoyed a stellar playing career with clubs including Atlas and León in Mexico, AS Monaco, Barcelona (where he won the UEFA Champions League twice), the New York Red Bulls, and Hellas Verona. He earned 148 caps and scored 17 goals for Mexico, and together with Guardado and Antonio Carbajal, he holds the record for most World Cup appearances—five each. Only German Lothar Matthäus, Argentine Lionel Messi, and Portuguese Cristiano Ronaldo have equaled this feat.
The 2026 World Cup, set to be the first with 48 teams and hosted across the United States, Mexico, and Canada, will run from June 11 to July 19.