Rafael Marquez, current assistant to Javier Aguirre with the Mexican national team, was confirmed as the next coach of El Tri for the 2030 World Cup project by Ivar Sisniega, executive president of the Mexican Football Federation.

The executive assured that the decision is not a This is not a surprise, but rather part of the contract that the former defender for the Mexican national team in the 2002 World Cups in South Korea and Japan, Germany 2006, South Africa 2010, Brazil 2014, and Russia 2018 has signed with the Mexican Football Federation to lead the qualifying process for the World Cup in five years. “Rafa Marquez’s involvement is in his contract; it states that as soon as he finishes as Javier Aguirre’s assistant, after next year’s World Cup, he will become the head coach of the national team,” said the president of the Mexican Football Federation. The executive reaffirmed the project he has established to hand over the reins to Rafael Marquez after the 2026 World Cup, a project that began with Javier Aguirre: “I have already had meetings with Marquez to explore his coaching staff. This is a plan that is already underway. He has been scouting many young players for his first call-ups, and we hope to fulfill what we have set out to do.” Marquez was convinced to leave his coaching position at Barcelona Athletic to join Javier Aguirre's coaching staff, replacing Jaime Lozano, who was unable to successfully lead the Mexican national team project, forcing Aguirre to step in as an emergency replacement, along with the Atlas defender. Monaco, Barcelona, ??New York Red Bulls, Leon, and Verona.

“I wouldn't diminish the value of the national team and the work you can do in a World Cup, which the whole world sees. Both as an assistant coach now and as a coach in the next World Cup cycle, that's my main showcase. I have no doubt that if I do a great job, I could have an opportunity at Barcelona,” Marquez said in 2024.

Marquez, along with Hugo Sanchez, are considered the greatest exponents in the history of Mexican football, achieving glory with Barcelona,Winner of the 1999 Confederations Cup with the Mexican national team, defeating Brazil, as well as five World Cups and a two-time CONCACAF Gold Cup champion.

It is currently unknown who will be part of his coaching staff, but it is possible that Andres Guardado and Pavel Pardo could be among them. However, the official handover of the reins of the Mexican national team will take place in seven months.