Javier Aguirre

Javier Aguirre is the head coach of Mexico at the 2026 FIFA World Cup — his third spell in charge of El Tri and his most pressure-loaded by far, with Mexico co-hosting the tournament. Known as "El Vasco" for his Basque ancestry, he was born in Mexico City on 1 December 1958.

A combative midfielder for the national team — he was at the 1986 home World Cup — Aguirre's coaching career has crossed three continents. He led Mexico to the round of 16 in both 2002 and 2010, took Osasuna to the semi-final of the UEFA Cup in 2006-07, and managed Atlético Madrid, Espanyol, Zaragoza, Leganés and Mallorca in Spain, plus stints with Japan, Egypt, Al Wahda and Monterrey. The blend of La Liga grit and CONCACAF know-how is rare.

The FMF brought him back in July 2024 to steady a Mexico side that had failed to escape the group at Qatar 2022. His mandate is twofold: defend the country's reputation at a home World Cup and deliver Mexico's deepest run since the 1986 quarter-final. Captain Edson Álvarez, Hirving Lozano and the youth of Santiago Giménez and Julián Quiñones form the core.

Mexico open Group A against South Africa at the iconic Estadio Azteca on 11 June, the tournament's opening match. The pressure on Aguirre is the heaviest in El Tri history.