Brief

Mexico’s post‑World Cup slump deepens as new coach Rafa Márquez faces criticism

Four consecutive defeats and draws in post‑World Cup friendlies have put Mexico’s new coach Rafa Márquez in the spotlight.

By Felo News Desk · Published Thu, 08 Oct 2026 23:06:06 GMT

Mexico’s national football team has suffered a string of disappointing results in its first four friendlies after the 2026 World Cup, prompting a wave of criticism aimed at new head coach Rafa Márquez, the Guardian reported.

What happened

After a successful World Cup campaign that saw Mexico reach the round of 16, the team played four warm‑up matches. A 1‑1 draw with Colombia was followed by another 1‑1 stalemate against Peru. The third game, held in Arizona, ended in a 3‑0 loss to the United States, and the most recent fixture saw Mexico fall 2‑0 to Chile.

What the reports add

The Guardian notes that the defeats have been described as a “downward spiral” by Mexican media, with the sports newspaper Récord featuring a front‑page headline that reads “¡Qué Horror!” after the loss to the United States. TV Azteca analyst Álvaro López Sordo told the outlet that the current squad looks “unrecognisable” compared with the World Cup side, suggesting that the home‑advantage factor may have been an illusion.

What was said

Álvaro López Sordo said in a telephone interview, “It is difficult to recognise this team from the one that played just a few months ago,” as quoted by the Guardian. The article also records that Mexican fans have taken to social media to vent frustration, calling the results a “cold dose of reality.”

How it came about

Rafa Márquez, a former star midfielder, was promoted from the coaching staff that worked under manager Javier Aguirre during the World Cup. The coaching duo had overseen Mexico’s first knockout‑stage win since 1986, beating Ecuador in the round of 32 and pushing England to a narrow defeat. The post‑World Cup friendlies were intended to cement the team’s momentum, but the string of draws and losses has revived long‑standing concerns about systemic issues within Mexican football.

Key facts

Mexico drew 1‑1 with Colombia and 1‑1 with Peru in post‑World Cup friendlies. (theguardian.com)
Mexico lost 3‑0 to the United States in Arizona and 2‑0 to Chile. (theguardian.com)
Rafa Márquez, a former player, is in his first month as head coach of El Tri. (theguardian.com)
TV Azteca analyst Álvaro López Sordo said the team is “unrecognisable” from the World Cup side. (theguardian.com)
Mexican sports newspaper Récord ran a front‑page headline “¡Qué Horror!” after the US defeat. (theguardian.com)