Mexico Wiretap

Mexico launched the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a 2-0 victory over South Africa at Mexico City's Estadio Azteca on Thursday, becoming the first stadium to host three World Cups. The match drew more than 80,000 supporters and was marred by three red cards, the most ever in a World Cup opening match.

Julian Quinones struck low through the legs of South Africa goalkeeper Rowen Williams in the ninth minute to give Mexico the lead. The goal was the earliest in a World Cup opener since Philipp Lahm scored for Germany against Costa Rica after six minutes in 2006. Quinones was the top scorer in the Saudi league this past season.

Mexico dominated territorially throughout, posting a 1.41 to 0.07 expected goals (xG) advantage over South Africa.

South Africa's path back into the match narrowed early in the second half when midfielder Sphephelo Sithole received a straight red card for fouling Brian Gutierrez on the edge of the penalty area while through on goal.

Veteran striker Raul Jimenez sealed the result midway through the second half, heading in from close range for his 46th international goal and his first across three World Cup appearances. The tally drew him level with Jared Borgetti for second place on Mexico's all-time scoring list, six behind leader Javier Hernandez.

Mexico also handed a World Cup debut to 17-year-old Gilberto Mora, who at 17 years and 240 days became the youngest player ever to appear for Mexico at the tournament and the sixth-youngest in World Cup history.

South Africa's difficult afternoon worsened when Themba Zwane was dismissed following a VAR review for striking Roberto Alvarado in the face. Mexico defender Cesar Montes was then sent off in stoppage time, bringing the total to three red cards.

The victory marked Mexico's first win in a World Cup opener after five losses and two draws in previous tournaments, including a defeat against host South Africa at the 2010 World Cup. Mexico leads Group A with three points and faces South Korea next Thursday in Guadalajara. South Africa meets Czechia the same day in Atlanta.

France enters the 2026 World Cup with the most valuable roster in the tournament at $1.76 billion, according to squad valuation data from Transfermarkt, with England ($1.507 billion) and Spain ($1.449 billion) ranked second and third.

Portugal, Germany, and Brazil round out the six nations surpassing the $1 billion threshold in total squad value.

Spain's Lamine Yamal and Norway's Erling Haaland share the top individual valuation at $238 million. Haaland alone accounts for roughly 33 percent of Norway's total $691 million squad value. Kylian Mbappe ranks third among individual players and leads France's roster.

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia ranks seventh among individual players but will not appear in the tournament after Georgia failed to qualify.

2026 World Cup Squad Valuations

1. France: $1.760 billion
2. England: $1.507 billion
3. Spain: $1.449 billion
4. Portugal: $1.173 billion
5. Germany: $1.148 billion
6. Brazil: $1.049 billion
7. Netherlands: $962.78 million
8. Argentina: $940.13 million
9. Norway: $691.15 million
10. Belgium: $624.34 million
11. Ivory Coast: $610.54 million
12. Morocco: $561.43 million
13. Senegal: $543.84 million
14. Turkiye: $543.61 million
15. Sweden: $492.18 million
16. Uruguay: $466.10 million
17. Croatia: $448.16 million
18. United States: $438.90 million
19. Ecuador: $432.63 million
20. Switzerland: $382.49 million
21. Colombia: $350.46 million
22.Japan: $320.74 million
23. Algeria: $295.44 million
24. Austria: $278.53 million
25. Ghana: $269.50 million
26. Canada: $226.15 million
27. Mexico: $220.63 million
28. Czechia: $216.41 million
29. Scotland: $195.79 million
30. Paraguay: $176.70 million
31. Bosnia-Herzegovina: $174.34 million
32. DR Congo: $165.49 million
33. South Korea: $159.91 million
34. Egypt: $133.95 million
35. Uzbekistan: $98.13 million
36. Australia: $89.07 million
37. Tunisia: $80.44 million
38. Haiti: $64.29 million
39. Cape Verde: $62.68 million
40. South Africa: $56.64 million
41. Saudi Arabia: $46.78 million
42. Panama: $39.73 million
43. New Zealand: $39.50 million
44. Iran: $36.86 million
45. Curacao: $29.65 million
46. Iraq: $24.38 million
47. Jordan: $23.58 million
48. Qatar: $22.92 million

Real Madrid and Barcelona have received positive scouting reports on 16-year-old Mexican midfielder Gilberto Mora, although sources from both clubs told ESPN it remains too early to consider signing the Tijuana prospect. Both Spanish giants monitored Mora's performances at the Under-20 World Cup in Chile.

Barcelona sporting director Deco's assistant Joao Amaral traveled to Chile to watch Mora at the tournament. A source told ESPN that Mora has "strong potential and really interesting characteristics" but acknowledged "at 16, Mora may still need some room to grow."

Madrid sources share Barcelona's cautious optimism about the attacking midfielder. A club source told ESPN it is premature to determine whether Mora "will become a top player" capable of succeeding at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Several Madrid sources agree Mora is the most prominent name of his generation. The midfielder turns 17 on Tuesday and cannot transfer to any European club until he turns 18.

Mora recorded three goals and two assists as Mexico reached the knockout stages before losing to Argentina in the quarterfinals. Barcelona are not surprised by his performances as they have monitored his progress for some time.

"We've received very interesting reports about him," a Barcelona source said. "He's only just now making a media splash, and everyone's talking about him. He's a very skilled midfielder, a player with very good prospects, although it's still too early to define what his ultimate goal will be."

Madrid sources told ESPN that Mora's position and the importance of the Mexican market make his signing particularly attractive. The club has previously signed Vinicius Junior and Endrick as minors, loaning them to their Brazilian clubs until they turned 18.

Madrid have been scouting creative talents to fill the void left by Luka Modric and Toni Kroos. The club considers the Mexican market strategic and believes signing a Mexican player would strengthen their presence in a country with a large fanbase.

Edson Alvarez's second-half header lifted Mexico to a 2-1 victory over the United States in Sunday's Concacaf Gold Cup final at Houston's NRG Stadium. The triumph secured Mexico's 10th Gold Cup title before a sellout crowd of 70,925 that was approximately 70% pro-Mexico.

Chris Richards opened scoring for the U.S. in the 4th minute with a header that deflected off the crossbar. Raul Jimenez equalized before halftime with a clinical left-footed finish into the upper left corner past goalkeeper Matthew Freese, his 42nd international goal and third-most in Mexican history.

Mexico Dominates Second Half

Mexico controlled possession throughout the match with 60% of the ball and earned 12 corner kicks to none for the United States. Álvarez capitalized on a set piece opportunity, flicking the ball past Freese for the decisive goal that was initially ruled offside before video review confirmed its validity.

The goal celebration honored Diogo Jota, Jimenez's former Wolverhampton Wanderers teammate who died in a car crash Thursday. Patrick Agyemang nearly equalized for the U.S. in stoppage time but failed to make clean contact on a short-range effort blocked by Luis Malagon.

"We came from behind and are leaving with the title," Jiménez said. "It's great and really important to clinch the crown a summer before the World Cup. It's something we've been trying to do since the tournament began."

U.S. manager Mauricio Pochettino fielded the same starting lineup used in knockout victories over Costa Rica and Guatemala. The Americans entered the tournament on a four-game losing streak, their longest since 2007, but reached their first Gold Cup final since 2021 despite missing regular starters due to injuries and Club World Cup commitments.

"We're disappointed obviously to not come away with a win," U.S. captain Tim Ream said.

This marked the eighth meeting between Mexico and the United States in a Gold Cup final. The match served as the final competitive fixture for both nations before co-hosting the 2026 World Cup with Canada.

"I'm speechless. We spent 35 days in intense training, away from our families, with the intention of winning," midfielder Alvarez said. "When they first disallowed the goal, it was crazy. It threw me off balance, but I was really happy to see that it was valid."

Mexico's victory extends their Gold Cup dominance over the United States, with the defending champions now holding 10 titles compared to seven for the U.S. and one for Canada.

Mexico has fired Jimmy Lozano as manager. Lozano turned down a demotion to stay on as staff for a new head coach, the FMF said in a statement.

"Jaime Lozano was offered, along with his coaching staff, a contract until 2030, in which during 2024-2026 they will accompany a more experienced head coach towards our World Cup, and later it would be Jaime himself who would retake the reins of head coach in the 2026-2030 process," the FMF said.

"After analyzing the proposal, Jaime Lozano informed us that he doesn't wish to continue. We respect his decision."

Jaime "Jimmy" Lozano has been hired as permanent manager of Mexico.

Lozano held the role on an interim basis as Mexico won the 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup.

"I am very pleased to inform you officially, and I know it is not going to be a surprise for most of you that we have chosen Jaime Lozano to lead the senior national team project ahead of the 2026 World Cup," said FMF executive president Ivar Sisniega.

Marcelo Bielsa has emerged as the preferred candidate to become the next manager of Mexico.

According to the report, other alternatives for the FMF include Ignacio Ambriz, Matias Almeyda, Antonio "Turco" Mohamed, Guillermo Almada, and former Mexico coaches Miguel Herrera, Ricardo "Tuca" Ferretti and Juan Carlos Osorio.

Bielsa is out of a job after being fired by Leeds United early last year.

Tata Martino has left his role as manager of Mexico following their exit from the 2022 World Cup in the group stage.

Mexico defeated Saudi Arabia 2-1 in their final group match, but Poland advanced due to a goal differential edge.

In a news conference after the game, Martino said his contract had ended following Mexico's elimination.

"I am the first responsible for this terrible disappointment and frustration that we have," Martino said. "As the person in charge, it causes a lot of sadness, I fully assume responsibility for this great failure.

"My contract ended as soon as the referee blew the final whistle and there is nothing more to be done."

The United States and Mexico have qualified for Pot 2 in Friday's World Cup finals draw as the two countries booked the final two automatic places on Wednesday. 

Canada missed out on a place in Pot 3 after losing 1-0 to Panama and will instead be in Pot 4.

One team from the four pots will be in each group. Five of the eight groups will have a maximum of two European teams, as 13 qualify. 

Pot 1: 
Qatar
Brazil
Belgium
France
Argentina
England
Spain
Portugal

Pot 2: 
Mexico
Netherlands
Denmark
Germany
Uruguay
Switzerland
United States
Croatia

Pot 3: 
Senegal
IR Iran
Japan
Morocco
Serbia
Poland
South Korea
Tunisia

Pot 4: 
Cameroon
Canada
Ecuador
Saudi Arabia
Ghana
Wales or Scotland / Ukraine
Costa Rica or New Zealand
Peru or Australia / United Arab Emirates

Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez said he envisions a future where over 100 Mexican players are plying their trade in Europe.

"It would be awesome to not have to talk about who is the best Mexican abroad, I'd love for there to be 100 [Mexicans in Europe] and that there could be 20 that are difficult to compare, at least unless there is another Hugo Sanchez or Rafa Marquez. Or that at some point in our history there is a Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi, Maradona or Pele. I don't know, but it would be awesome to have 100 Mexican players in all Europe," said the LA Galaxy striker.

Chicharito most recently moved to MLS following a 10-year career in Europe.

He added that he is open to a return to the national team, but also said that players should make more money from international matches. 

"[We want] bonuses that are fair because the player is the one who earns least [from national team duty]. People believe that [players] don't go because they don't feel proud, but what they don't know is that it's not the player making the most out of this, but those who run it, which is fine, it takes work."