While the clock is ticking, the date for Rafael Márquez's debut at the head of the Mexican National Team is approaching. The historic former soccer player will begin his time as technical director of the Tricolor on September 26 in Baltimore, facing a powerful Colombia.

This duel will open an intense post-World Cup international agenda that also includes clashes against Peru, the United States and Chile.

Below is the complete agenda of the Mexican National Team for this international window:

🇲🇽 Mexico vs. Colombia 🇨🇴📅 September 26 | 📍Baltimore

🇲🇽 Mexico vs. Peru 🇵🇪📅 September 29 | 📍 Red Bull Arena, New Jersey

🇲🇽 Mexico vs. United States 🇺🇸📅 October 3 | 📍Phoenix

🇲🇽 Mexico vs. Chile 🇨🇱📅 October 6 | 📍 Rose Bowl, PasadenaThe beginning of the post-World Cup 2026 era

These commitments represent a challenge of medium complexity for the new coaching staff. Of the four rivals, only the United States and Colombia participated in the recent World Cup.

For their part, Peru and Chile will seek to rebuild their projects after being left out of the great North American event.

Beyond the rivals, the real focus of attention will be on the field. It will be the first opportunity to observe the tactical behavior of a team under Márquez's command. The 'Kaiser' style, influenced by the philosophy of Barcelona's La Masia, promises a notable distance from the football ideas of his predecessor, Javier Aguirre.

It should be remembered that Márquez was part of the “Vasco” coaching staff for the last two years, a process that concluded with the painful elimination against England (2-3) in the quarterfinals of the World Cup.

Baltimore: An unprecedented venue for the “MexTour”

The first synod on September 26 will take place in Baltimore, a city where the Tricolor has never been presented. The Soccer United Marketing (SUM) company selected this headquarters betting on the impact on the Mexican community and the strong Colombian presence in the region.

With this movement, the organizers seek to innovate in new places for the “MexTour”, breaking the routine of traditional venues such as Pasadena, Texas, Chicago or Arizona. A brave debut against Colombia

Rafael Márquez's debut will not be easy. Opposite will be a Colombia that extended the contract of Argentine strategist Néstor Lorenzo. The coffee team will maintain its solid base with figures such as Luis Díaz, Camilo Vargas, Luis Suárez, John Lucumí, Gustavo Puerta and Jhon Arias.

This will be the perfect opportunity to see if Colombia finally leaves behind the influence of James Rodríguez or if the coaching staff continues to maintain him as the moral and sporting leader, despite the fact that in the last 2026 World Cup his involvement on the field clearly decreased.

A high intensity agenda

FIFA decided to schedule this extended international window from September 26 to October 6, allowing for the dosage and strategy of the squad:

September 29 vs. Peru: El Tri will travel to the Red Bull Arena in New Jersey, a scene of fond memories. On that same grass there was that famous and tense fight between Claudio Pizarro and Omar Briseño that extended to the locker room area.

October 3rd vs. United States: Phoenix will receive one more edition of the Río Bravo Classic. Mexico will seek to repeat the dose of the Gold Cup final on July 6, 2025, when it defeated the USMNT at the NRG Stadium in Houston.

October 6th vs. Chile: The closing of the tour will occur at the majestic Rose Bowl in Pasadena. This match will serve as a meeting of gratitude for the Californian Aztec fans after the support provided in the World Cup process.