Rafa Márquez Announces First Mexico Squad | OneFootball

All eyes were on Rafa Márquez’s first Mexico squad.

The legendary former Mexican defender is set to make his debut as head coach on September 26 in Baltimore, Maryland, against Peru. After the 2026 World Cup, where Javier Aguirre handed the baton to his former assistant, there was plenty of curiosity about what Márquez’s first squad would look like.

Márquez was part of Aguirre’s coaching staff during what was a positive World Cup campaign for Mexico, and now he officially takes the wheel as the national team begins a new cycle toward 2030.

And yes, Mexico’s next World Cup is already being talked about. The 2030 tournament will be hosted by Spain, Portugal and Morocco, with Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay also hosting centenary matches.

Because apparently one World Cup ending is not enough time before everyone starts talking about the next one.

Márquez announced a squad of 30 players this Thursday, including 17 of the players who were part of Mexico’s 2026 World Cup roster. There are familiar faces, major absences and, perhaps most importantly, several new names looking to crash the party.

Twenty-five players will begin camp on Monday, September 21, while the other five will join the team in New Jersey after completing their club commitments in Jornada 10 of Liga MX.

Who Didn’t Make the Cut?

Let’s start with the absences.

Edson Álvarez, Mexico’s World Cup captain, is not on the list. The midfielder remains with West Ham and did not manage to secure a move during the transfer window. He has also seen limited playing time, making his absence from Márquez’s first squad one of the more notable decisions.

Perhaps the biggest surprise, however, is Julián Quiñones. The Mexican forward was nominated for the Ballon d’Or after an outstanding World Cup, but Márquez decided not to include him in this first squad.

Raúl Jiménez is also out after suffering an injury with Fulham, so this absence was already expected.

Brian Gutiérrez, the former Chicago Fire player who is now with Chivas, was also left out after struggling to find his best form.

Guillermo Ochoa is obviously not here either, following his retirement from professional soccer.

Guillermo Martínez, meanwhile, won’t be getting another one of those mysterious national-team invitations this time around. After leaving Pumas for Tigres, he was not considered by Márquez.

Carlos Acevedo was also left off the list.

So yes, there is already plenty for Mexican soccer Twitter to argue about.

Surprising Returnees

One of the biggest surprises is the return of Hirving “Chucky” Lozano.

After being left out at San Diego FC and missing the 2026 World Cup, Lozano has now found a new home with LA Galaxy… and apparently a new life with the national team.

His call-up will raise plenty of eyebrows, especially among those who believe the Chucky’s best days are behind him. But Márquez clearly isn’t ready to close that chapter just yet.

Germán Berterame is also back.

The Inter Miami striker did not make Aguirre’s World Cup squad, but he gets another opportunity under Márquez as the new coach looks at different options in attack.

The New Kids on the Block

Márquez’s first squad also introduces several younger players who could become important pieces of this new cycle.

Among the new faces are Chivas youngsters Santiago Sandoval and Hugo Camberos, along with Jeremy Márquez, Denzell García, Alan Cervantes, Everardo López, Isaías Violante and Diego Campillo.

These are the players hoping to turn one call-up into something more permanent, with the Nations League and Gold Cup coming up next year.

And then there is Gilberto Mora. The teenage Mexican sensation is once again part of the conversation after already making waves at the highest level. Because apparently Mexican soccer has decided that 17-year-olds are now old enough to carry everyone’s expectations.

The World Cup Core Remains

Márquez has also kept a significant portion of the group that represented Mexico at the 2026 World Cup.

Raúl Rangel, César Montes and Johan Vásquez are among the returning players, while Mateo Chávez, Jesús Gallardo and Jorge Sánchez remain in the defensive mix.

In midfield, Erik Lira, Luis Chávez, Obed Vargas, Orbelín Pineda and Álvaro Fidalgo are included.

Up front, Roberto Alvarado, Santiago Giménez and Armando González are joined by Chucky Lozano and Berterame.

So this isn’t exactly a revolution. It’s more like Márquez took the World Cup squad, removed a few names, added some new blood and hit “shuffle.”

Márquez’s First Test

Márquez’s mission over these first four games is pretty straightforward: reconnect the Mexican national team with its fans and establish an identity.

Mexico’s supporters have been increasingly critical of the team’s style of play in recent years, and Márquez now has the opportunity to begin changing that perception.

The problem? Once again, Mexico will play all four of these matches in the United States.

After Mexican fans filled stadiums throughout the 2026 World Cup, the national team is once again taking its show north of the border instead of bringing it home.

For Márquez, however, the challenge remains the same.

He needs to establish a style of play that Mexican fans can actually get behind while facing four opponents that should provide a serious test: Peru, Colombia, the United States and Chile.

And while Márquez has plenty of experience as a player, including captaining Barcelona and Mexico, his coaching résumé remains relatively short. His previous head-coaching experience came with Barça Atlètic in Spain’s third tier.

Now he gets the biggest job of his coaching career. No pressure, Rafa. Just an entire country watching.

Mexico’s Full Squad

Goalkeepers: Raúl Rangel, Óscar García, Alex Padilla.

Defenders: Johan Vásquez, César Montes, Víctor Guzmán, Israel Reyes, Everardo López, Jorge Sánchez, Jesús Gallardo, Mateo Chávez.

Midfielders: Erik Lira, Luis Chávez, Obed Vargas, Jeremy Márquez, Orbelín Pineda, Álvaro Fidalgo, Alan Cervantes, Denzell García, Gilberto Mora.

Forwards: Roberto Alvarado, Hirving Lozano, Santiago Giménez, Armando González, Germán Berterame.

Players joining the squad in New Jersey: Diego Campillo, Luis Romo, Hugo Camberos, Santiago Sandoval and Isaías Violante.

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