5 Shocking Updates On The Mexico National Football Team (El Tri) You Can't Miss In 2025

The Mexico National Football Team, famously known as 'El Tri,' is in a state of rapid transformation, balancing the veteran presence of established stars with the electric energy of a new generation. As of December 2025, the team has confirmed a seismic shift in its coaching structure and seen its biggest names make major, career-defining moves to top clubs globally, all while gearing up for the monumental challenge of co-hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup. This is a crucial period for the Mexican Football Federation (FMF) as they aim to establish Concacaf dominance and finally break the 'quinto partido' (fifth match) curse.

The latest news is dominated by a major managerial announcement and a fresh wave of player transfers, signaling a decisive focus on the future of Mexican football. From the unexpected rise of a 16-year-old phenom in a major tournament to the confirmation of a legendary defender taking the reins, here are the five most significant and shocking updates surrounding the Selección de Fútbol de México right now.

Key Figures: The Current Coach, The Future Legend, and The Star Strikers

The foundation of any national team lies in its leadership and its star power. For Mexico in late 2025, this involves a celebrated veteran coach, a confirmed future icon, and two of the country's most valuable attacking talents who have recently made major club moves.

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Current Head Coach: Javier 'Vasco' Aguirre

• Full Name: Javier Aguirre Onaindía
• Date of Birth: December 1, 1958 (Age 67)
• Nationality: Mexican
• Current Role: Head Coach, Mexico National Team (re-appointed in July 2024)
• Career Highlight: Nominated for The Best FIFA Football Awards 2025.
• Mandate: To stabilize the team, ensure Concacaf success, and prepare the core squad for the 2026 World Cup as co-hosts.

Confirmed Future Head Coach: Rafael 'Rafa' Márquez

• Full Name: Rafael Márquez Álvarez
• Date of Birth: February 13, 1979 (Age 46)
• Nationality: Mexican
• New Role: Officially appointed Head Coach of the Mexico National Team, with the announcement confirmed in December 2025.
• Previous Role: Manager of FC Barcelona Atlètic and former Mexico Assistant Manager.
• Significance: A legendary former player and five-time World Cup veteran, Márquez is seen as the long-term visionary to lead El Tri into the 2030 World Cup cycle.

Star Forward: Santiago 'Santi' Giménez

• Full Name: Santiago Tomás Giménez
• Date of Birth: April 18, 2001 (Age 24)
• Position: Centre-Forward
• Club: AC Milan (Serie A, Italy)
• Key Update: His high-profile transfer to a European giant like AC Milan solidifies his status as Mexico's primary striker and one of the most valuable players in the national team setup.

Star Winger: Hirving 'Chucky' Lozano

• Full Name: Hirving Rodrigo Lozano Bahena
• Date of Birth: July 30, 1995 (Age 30)
• Position: Left Winger
• Club: San Diego FC (MLS, USA)
• Key Update: Lozano's 2024 transfer to the Major League Soccer expansion side San Diego FC was a major move, bringing a high-profile European-based player back to North America and boosting the visibility of the league ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

1. Rafael Márquez Confirmed as the Future of El Tri’s Leadership

The biggest story to emerge at the end of 2025 is the confirmation of Rafael Márquez as the next head coach. This announcement by the FMF, confirmed in December, ends months of speculation and signals a clear long-term strategy for El Tri.

Márquez, widely regarded as one of Mexico’s greatest-ever players, has been honing his coaching skills in Europe, most recently with FC Barcelona Atlètic. His appointment is not just a nostalgic choice; it is a move toward instilling a new footballing philosophy based on his experience at the highest level of European football.

While Javier Aguirre is currently steering the ship through the crucial pre-World Cup period, Márquez's shadow looms large. The expectation is that Márquez will fully assume the role either after the 2026 FIFA World Cup, or immediately to begin building the foundation for the 2030 World Cup cycle, aiming to develop a new generation of players. This transition is the most consequential decision made by the Mexican Football Federation in years.

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2. The Rise of the New Generation: Gilberto Mora’s Breakout Moment

The future of the national team is looking bright, headlined by the sensational emergence of young talents. No player has captured the imagination quite like Gilberto Mora.

At just 16 years old, Mora delivered a moment of pure brilliance in the high-stakes 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup Semifinal against Honduras. His assist to Raúl Jiménez for the winning goal secured Mexico's place in the final, showcasing incredible composure and vision for a player his age.

Mora is now being hailed as the next great Mexican playmaker, joining a cohort of promising young stars like goalkeeper Raúl Rangel and defender Mateo Chávez, who recently secured a move to AZ Alkmaar in the Netherlands. This infusion of youth is crucial for El Tri's long-term success and for addressing the perennial criticism of relying too heavily on aging veterans.

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• Emerging Talents to Watch:
• Gilberto Mora: Midfielder (16 years old), Gold Cup Semifinal hero.
• Raúl Rangel: Goalkeeper (25 years old), challenging for the number one spot.
• Israel Reyes: Defender (25 years old), a key figure in the defensive line.

3. Star Player Transfers: Santi to Milan and Chucky to MLS

The 2025 transfer window was defined by two massive moves involving Mexico's top attacking players, reflecting the diverse pathways of the modern Mexican international.

Santiago Giménez to AC Milan: Striker Santiago Giménez completed a blockbuster move to Italian Serie A giants AC Milan. This transfer places Mexico's primary goal-scoring threat in one of Europe's most competitive leagues, ensuring he maintains a high level of performance leading up to the World Cup. His success in Serie A is now directly tied to El Tri's hopes for a deep run in 2026.

Hirving Lozano to San Diego FC: "Chucky" Lozano's move from Europe to MLS expansion team San Diego FC in 2024 was a major coup for Major League Soccer. While some critics view it as a step down, the move makes Lozano the face of a new franchise and ensures he is playing competitive, high-profile football in North America, perfectly positioned for the World Cup preparation cycle and the MEXTOUR friendlies. This move underscores the growing financial power of MLS.

4. Recent Success: Gold Cup 2025 Final Appearance

Under the guidance of Javier Aguirre, the Selección Mexicana showed strong form in the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup. Their campaign was highlighted by a resilient 1-0 victory over Honduras in the Semifinal at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California. The team's performance throughout the tournament demonstrated a renewed focus on defensive solidity and tactical discipline, key attributes that were often missing in previous years.

This success in a major regional tournament is critical for restoring confidence and demonstrating that El Tri remains the dominant force in Concacaf, despite the rising challenges from teams like the USA and Canada.

5. The Road Ahead: Key Upcoming Fixtures and World Cup Preparation

With the 2026 World Cup preparation in full swing, the team's schedule is packed with high-profile friendly matches designed to test their mettle against global competition.

The upcoming MEXTOUR schedule includes two major European opponents in June 2025, providing a crucial test for the current squad and a chance for emerging players to prove their worth.

• Upcoming Key Matches (2025):
• June 7: vs. Switzerland (Friendly, Salt Lake City)
• June 10: vs. Türkiye (Friendly, Chapel Hill)
• September 17: vs. Paraguay (Friendly, Alamodome)

These international friendlies are not just exhibition games; they are vital opportunities for Javier Aguirre to finalize his core squad, test different formations, and integrate the younger talents like Gilberto Mora and Mateo Chávez into the senior team environment. The journey to the 2026 World Cup is officially in its final, high-stakes phase, with the transition to the Rafael Márquez era waiting just beyond the horizon.