Javier ‘Vasco’ Aguirre, Mexico’s coach, said Friday that his team must work twice as hard to have an outstanding performance in the 2026 World Cup, in which it will face South Africa in the opening match, as it did in 2010.
“It is a curious anecdote to repeat the opening of 2010. Facing South Africa at the Azteca, then Korea in Guadalajara, plus the playoff opponent; I think it’s good to have a good first phase, but we have to work twice as hard to have a great World Cup because there are no small rivals,” said the strategist.
Relive the 2010 inauguration
Dona y cambia vidas
Tu donativo brinda terapias, esperanza y un futuro sin límites a niños con discapacidad. Haz la diferencia hoy.
Javier Aguirre recalled the opening game of the 2010 World Cup, in which his team drew 1-1 with South Africa with a goal by Rafael Márquez, a former Barcelona player and his current assistant coach.
“It’s a wonderful anecdote. Rafa Márquez scored the equalizer and today he is next to me. That time we played on their field, now we’re playing on ours.”
“I hope it will be a good opening, I’m very excited about it,” he said at the end of the tournament’s group draw ceremony in Washington.
The coach showed no preference for the winning European opponent in the play-offs, with whom he will share Group A.
“It’s hard to choose. You can’t take anything for granted. Denmark, Macedonia, Czech Republic and Ireland are countries that play very differently, but being local we can compete with anyone.”
Celebrates its third World Cup
The 2026 World Cup will be Javier Aguirre’s third at the helm of Mexico.
In his first experience, in the 2002 World Cup, his team was eliminated by the United States in the round of 16.
And in the second, in 2010, Argentina knocked them out, also in the round of 16.
The ‘Vasco’ thanked the expressions of affection from several of the world soccer personalities who attended the draw, and who congratulated him on his career.
“I have been in three draws. I say it with pride, I have 50 years in soccer, most of my career has been in Spain.”
“As a Mexican, I have had the opportunity to travel around the world and it is a great pleasure to be recognized for it,” concluded Javier Aguirre.
Last November, the former coach of teams such as Atlético de Madrid, Osasuna, Espanyol, among others, and former coach of Japan and Egypt, was nominated for FIFA’s ‘The Best’ award in the category of coach of the year.
With information from EFE
For more information, visit QuéOnnda.com
