Javier Aguirre Faces Tough Decisions for Mexico’s World Cup Roster

Dallas, Texas — Javier Aguirre, head coach of the Mexican national soccer team, is weighing his options as he prepares for the 2026 World Cup. A key decision revolves around Julián Quiñones, a Colombian-born player who has become a naturalized Mexican citizen.

Quiñones, a top scorer in the Arab football leagues, has not yet earned a permanent spot on the national team. “He needs to shake off the pressure—there’s no pressure in being born in another country and playing for Mexico,” Aguirre said. The coach added that Quiñones tends to put too much pressure on himself, and he advised him to relax amidst the competition for a roster spot.

Despite scoring 23 goals for his club, Quiñones has yet to secure a spot in Aguirre’s starting lineup. Conversations between Aguirre and Quiñones’ coach, Míchel, have not cemented his place in the team. Aguirre has emphasized to Quiñones to forget about the ‘self-imposed pressure’ and to focus on performing well for the national team.

During the recent Gold Cup, Quiñones stated, “I feel more relaxed. The pressure will always exist when one is focused and prepared.” He acknowledged that the support from the coaching staff has been instrumental in his performance.

Amidst the October FIFA date, Quiñones is competing for a position against another naturalized player, with Aguirre searching for a third striker to support the team’s main forwards. The selection process is crucial as the national team gears up for international competition.

Meanwhile, the Mexican team arrived in Dallas for a friendly match against Colombia on Saturday. Fans gathered outside their hotel, welcoming players like Irving “Chucky” Lozano and Luis Malagón who took time to interact with supporters. This demonstrates the strong bond between the team and its fans in the area.

While Mexico has consistently drawn large crowds, with over 50,000 tickets sold for the upcoming match, the Colombian national team also gears up for the event. Coach Néstor Lorenzo plans to rotate players who have seen less action, focusing on gaining experience ahead of the World Cup.

The Colombian team, including key player James Rodríguez, has been training in Texas, remaining optimistic about their performance against Mexico.