Javier Aguirre
Mexican football manager appointed head coach of the national team in 2023, having previously managed Mexico twice and managed clubs including Atletico Madrid, Espanyol and Monterrey.
Last refreshed: 11 June 2026 · Appears in 1 active topic
Can Aguirre finally win Mexico a World Cup opener on their third attempt at the Azteca?
Timeline for Javier Aguirre
Deployed a 4-3-3 with Jimenez leading the line against South Africa
2026 FIFA World Cup: Azteca set for a third World Cup opener- Why is Javier Aguirre coaching Mexico for the third time?
- Aguirre was reappointed in 2023 after two previous World Cup spells (2001-02 and 2009-10) as the federation sought an experienced hand to rebuild the side following a poor 2022 campaign. He is seen as a SAFE pair of hands with deep familiarity with the Mexican football environment.
- What is Mexico's World Cup record in opening matches?
- Mexico have never won a World Cup opener, recording five defeats and two draws in seven previous attempts, including a loss at the Azteca itself in 1970.Source: event
- What formation does Javier Aguirre use with Mexico?
- Aguirre lines Mexico up in a 4-3-3 for the 2026 tournament opener, with Raul Jimenez as the lone striker and Edson Alvarez as the holding midfielder.Source: event
Background
Javier Aguirre is a Mexican football manager with over two decades of coaching experience across Spain, Japan, Egypt, and his home country. As a player he featured as a defensive midfielder, winning the CONCACAF Gold Cup with Mexico in 1993. He has managed Mexico's national team twice before — taking the side to consecutive World Cup round-of-sixteen exits in 2002 and 2010 — and was appointed for a third spell in 2023.
Aguirre lines up Mexico in a 4-3-3 for their opening match against South Africa at the Estadio Azteca on 11 June 2026, with Raul Jimenez leading the line and Edson Alvarez anchoring midfield. The fixture carries particular weight: Mexico host the co-hosted tournament and have never won a World Cup opener across seven attempts.
Aguirre's third stint has been built around youth integration and rebalancing the squad after a patchy 2022 Qatar campaign. His tactical approach leans on defensive solidity and quick transitions, trusting Jimenez's hold-up play to relieve pressure. Managing expectations against a South African side returning to the World Cup after 16 years, on a ground steeped in Mexican football history, defines the opening challenge of his tenure.