Against Japan, we'll break out of the Concacaf bubble: Aguirre

▲ Hirving Chucky Lozano and Jesús Chiquete Orozco prepare to face the Japanese. Photo courtesy of FMF

Alberto Aceves

La Jornada Newspaper, Saturday, September 6, 2025, p. 9

The matches against Japan and South Korea, corresponding to the September FIFA World Cup, fulfill a wish of the technical director of the Mexican national soccer team, Javier Aguirre, to face countries from all confederations on the way to the 2026 World Cup. The last part of the plan, in which Europeans Switzerland (4-2) and Turkey (1-0) visited El Tri three months ago in the United States, is to face rivals from South America before the end of the year. The first confirmed to play on October 11 and 14 are Colombia and Ecuador, but there are two more matches remaining next month with the possibility that Uruguay, led by Argentine Marcelo Bielsa, will visit the TSM Corona stadium in Torreón.

In the three qualifying periods and international matches, Aguirre will be able to count on the players included in his squad, including those in Europe. “We regularly face CONCACAF countries, which can trap us in a bubble and make us think that's reality, but it's not true. Japan is a very competitive opponent, the first to qualify for the next World Cup. They have added value,” explains the 66-year-old coach of the Tricolor, who is heading into his third World Cup cycle, as he prepares for the first test against the Land of the Rising Sun this Saturday in Oakland, with a squad that blends the experience and youth of players like Raúl Jiménez, Hirving Lozano, and Santiago Giménez.

Japan is ranked 17th in the FIFA world rankings, four places below Mexico, but is also the most successful team in the Asian Cup of Nations, having won four trophies. Their coach, Hajime Moriyasu, has been in charge since 2018 and during this time has secured not only their place in Qatar 2022 and the 2026 tournament—where they were the first nation to earn a spot, after hosts Mexico, Canada, and the United States—but also a fourth place at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Takefusa Kubo, a winger for Spain's Real Sociedad, stands out among the figures recognized by fans, along with Wataru Endo of Liverpool and Kaoru Mitoma of Brighton.

“Since Mallorca decided not to renew my contract, I stayed in Madrid for a week, and when Juan Carlos Rodríguez—former commissioner of the Mexican Football Federation—called me, the heavens opened up for me. From that call until today, I wake up very excited. If I look back, it's to avoid making the same mistakes I made in the past. I've been improving. Winston Churchill said that success is going from failure to failure without losing enthusiasm. I've had some incredible setbacks from not knowing how to listen; I learned that from Bora (Milutinovic), for example. Miguel Mejía Barón also played a very important role,” he adds.

Unlike past seasons, El Tricolor is entering the final stretch of its preparations with a dominant position in its zone. Last March, it won the Concacaf Nations League for the first time and then secured its second Gold Cup title in July, in finals against Panama and the United States, respectively. If, in addition to this winning record, there's one defining characteristic of Aguirre's third stint—Korea-Japan 2002 and South Africa 2010, the previous ones—it's that it boasts players who have demonstrated their proficiency since playing for European clubs: center back Johan Vásquez (Genoa), midfielder Edson Álvarez (Fenerbahce), and the most frequently used forward duo, Raúl Jiménez (Fulham) and Santiago Giménez (Milan).

Vasco also mentions the absences of goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa, who still hasn't found a team, and young Gilberto Mora, who was called up at 16 by the U-23 National Team to play in the World Cup in his category. "Mora is a diamond in the rough," he says, "but he has to take his journey forward step by step."

Regarding Ochoa and the possibility of playing in his sixth World Cup, a historic milestone for any player born in the country, he warns, "I'm not giving anything away. If Memo deserves to be here, it's because he's been doing well. He doesn't have a team at the moment. I know, because I've spoken to him, that he has offers. He's considering them, but he has to play. If he doesn't have a team and isn't in shape, he won't come. Him or anyone else."

Arturo Sánchez Jiménez and Alma E. Muñoz

La Jornada Newspaper, Saturday, September 6, 2025, p. 9

President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo announced yesterday that her government is working on an agreement with FIFA to install screens in the capital's Zócalo and broadcast free of charge some of the matches of the 2026 World Cup, which will be held in Mexico, the United States, and Canada.

In his morning press conference, he explained that the progress of the tournament's organization will be presented in the coming days. He explained that logistical aspects are being finalized: "We're going to present the World Cup, I think next week, this week, or the next. We're already finalizing some organizational details. We'll try to have it shown in the Zócalo, on screens, in coordination with FIFA, which has its own rules." He emphasized that ticket prices are determined by FIFA and stadiums, like the Azteca, so his government is committed to ensuring that citizens have a public space to enjoy the matches.

He also acknowledged that the process depends on authorization from FIFA and its sponsors, who establish specific guidelines for broadcasts in public spaces.

Erendira Palma Hernández

La Jornada Newspaper, Saturday, September 6, 2025, p. 9

The dispute over the Azteca Stadium's boxes and seats during the 2026 World Cup ended after the venue's management—owned by the Ollamani group—and FIFA reached an agreement to respect the existing contract with the stadium's owners.

Thus, the owners of the boxes and stalls will be able to use them during the 2026 World Cup, in accordance with the contract they signed in 1966 for a period of 99 years after paying 115,000 pesos at that time.

"Our titles will be respected. Ollamani is a highly valuable company; they surely studied the contract and saw there was no way out. They were obligated to inform FIFA that they could not use those spaces. I recognize Emilio Azcárraga Jean (owner of the venue) for respecting the contract and Félix Aguirre (director of the building) for his willingness," Roberto Ruano, secretary of the Association of Box and Stall Owners, told La Jornada .

"They say we won't pay, but that's false. We've already paid for 99 years, so it wasn't free," Ruano added. He explained that food will not be allowed in the boxes and stalls during the World Cup, and that, according to the contract, there will be no parking.

"This also sends a very important message: that agreements are respected in Mexico," he noted.

Félix Aguirre told a radio station this morning that an agreement had already been reached with FIFA to respect the spaces in the boxes and stalls, although they still needed to finalize some details before sending an official statement to each of the holders.

The agreement had been respected during the 1970 and 1986 World Cups in Mexico. Now, the venue will also host the opening match of the 2026 World Cup on June 11, as well as four other tournament matches.

▲ Holding pro-Palestine banners, protesters insist on the Israeli team's expulsion from the competition. Photo by Europa Press

▲ In the image, Joao Almeida, who crossed the finish line first. Photo AFP

Armando G. Tejeda

Correspondent

La Jornada Newspaper, Saturday, September 6, 2025, p. a10

Madrid. With 12 kilometers remaining in the stage, very close to the start of the ascent of the dreaded Angliru mountain pass—one of the most demanding in Europe—a new protest erupted in support of the Palestinian people and denouncing the genocide and ethnic cleansing being perpetrated by the State of Israel in the Gaza Strip. The race, at least for the "escaped" group, was interrupted for a few seconds when a dozen people carrying the Palestinian flag stood in the middle of the road with their arms raised. Furthermore, chants against Israel and its occupation of Gaza could be heard throughout the entire route.

Since the start of the Vuelta a España cycling race, one of the three most prestigious stage races in the world, along with the Tour de France and the Giro d'Italia, there have been numerous complaints about the presence of the Israel Premier Tech team, financed and chaired by the Canadian billionaire businessman of Jewish origin, Sylvan Adams, who is very close to the war-mongering strategy and Zionist theses of the current president of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu. Netanyahu posted a message on social media praising the cycling team's "great work" "for not giving in to hatred and intimidation. They are making Israel proud," he noted, due to their presence in the cycling race, from which even the Spanish government, led by Socialist Pedro Sánchez, is demanding their expulsion. This responsibility can only be assumed by the International Cycling Union or, failing that, the team's voluntary withdrawal, which its sports director, the Spaniard Óscar Guerrero, also ruled out, because he maintains that such a decision would mean the end of the cycling project.

After the final kilometers of the stage had to be neutralized in Bilbao because hundreds of people invaded the route where cyclists and support vehicles were passing, the protests continue. This time, they occurred when the breakaway group, consisting of Ecuadorian Jefferson Cepeda (Movistar Team), Luxembourger Bob Jungels (Ineos Grenadiers), and Kazakhstani Nico Vinokourov (XDS Astana), were approaching the climb to Angliru, which was also the stage finish.

When protesters blocked the road, Civil Guard officers acted forcefully to push them back. Only in recent days have pro-Palestine protests intensified, and this trend is expected to continue for the remainder of the race. The first protest took place on August 27, when a man, who was arrested by Catalan police, blocked the Israeli team riders during the team time trial in Figueres (Girona). On Wednesday, September 3, Basque police arrested three people following incidents during the Bilbao stage that left four officers injured. The following day, around 300 people gathered early at the start of the Vuelta a España in Laredo (Cantabria), chanting slogans such as "Genocidal Israel" and "Stop Genocide," which did not alter the course of the stage at any point.

Yesterday, Portuguese cyclist Joao Almeida, from UAE Team Emirates, overtook two- time Tour winner Jonas Vingegaard from Denmark to finish first, moving into second place (46 seconds behind) in the overall standings, which Vingegaard leads.

AFP

La Jornada Newspaper, Saturday, September 6, 2025, p. a10

Monza. Britain's Lando Norris (McLaren) set the fastest time in the second free practice session for the Formula 1 Italian Grand Prix, ahead of the Ferrari of Monegasque driver Charles Leclerc, yesterday at Monza.

On the legendary Italian circuit, Spaniard Carlos Sainz Jr (Williams) posted the third-best time of the session, ahead of Australian World Championship leader Oscar Piastri (McLaren) and British seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari), who was fifth.

Norris comes into this Grand Prix as Piastri's closest rival, who has a 34-point lead over his teammate in the standings.

In the first free practice session, slower than the second, Ferrari dominated, with Hamilton setting the fastest time ahead of Leclerc. Reigning four-time world champion Max Verstappen (Red Bull) finished the day sixth fastest.

The second free practice session was briefly interrupted by a track exit by young Italian Andrea Kimi Antonelli, who finished in 19th place, ahead of Argentine Franco Colapinto (20).

Meanwhile, the iconic Monaco Grand Prix will remain on the calendar until 2035, the competition's organizers announced yesterday.

AFP

La Jornada Newspaper, Saturday, September 6, 2025, p. a11

New York., Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz prevented Serbian Novak Djokovic from closing the current season with his coveted 25th Grand Slam title after defeating him in straight sets to advance to the final of the US Open, where he will face Italian Jannik Sinner, world number one, who eliminated Canadian Félix Auger-Aliassime.

In the first semifinal in New York, Alcaraz defeated the 38-year-old Balkan giant 6-4, 7-6 (7/4) and 6-2. Despite the defeat, Alcaraz confirmed that he will continue fighting to win his 25th title in "major" tournaments, an all-time tennis record.

"I'm not giving up on the Grand Slams; I'm going to keep fighting. I still want to play a full season next year. I'll try to reach the finals and fight for at least another title," the Serbian said.

For his part, the Spaniard, who will fight for his second US Open title on Sunday, following the one he won in 2022 at the age of 19, said, "It's a great feeling to be in the final of this tournament again; it feels incredible."

"Today wasn't my best level of the tournament, but I maintained a good level from the beginning to the last point. It was very important to stay present," he acknowledged on Center Court at Flushing Meadows.

“Nole” congratulated Alcaraz, 22, with a hug at the net after his fourth Grand Slam semifinal loss this year.

Alcaraz could regain the ATP lead if he wins his sixth Grand Slam trophy on Sunday, in a final that U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to attend.

▲ Novak Djokovic (left) congratulates the Murcian, who prevented him from seeking his 25th Grand Slam title. Photo AFP

For now, the world number two got his long-awaited revenge against the eternal Djokovic yesterday.

The Serbian, who was vying to become the oldest Grand Slam finalist in half a century, handed Alcaraz two very painful defeats at the 2024 Paris Olympics and in the Australian Open quarterfinals in January.

The Iberian didn't need his best tennis to take the first set, but in the second Djokovic reacted with an early break and a 3-0 lead.

The Spaniard embarked on a string of errors, but kept his cool and halted the advance with another break.

The set ended in a tiebreak that Djokovic was practically obliged to win given his diminished energy reserves.

The tiebreaker was tight until Alcaraz prevailed in a fierce rally from the baseline and took the set with a devastating serve.

The Murcian remained the only player not to drop a set at Flushing Meadows, leaving Djokovic, 16 years his senior and with three hours more playing time this tournament, with no option but to stage an epic and improbable comeback.

The Balkan native, who requested treatment for his shoulder at halftime, faced the feat with an empty tank and took a knee against an unstoppable Alcaraz, who will play their eighth consecutive final on Sunday.

In a thrilling match, defending champion Jannik Sinner of Italy defeated Canadian Auger-Aliassime 6-1, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 to advance to Sunday's final against Alcaraz.

▲ If you want to be a champion at something, you have to pay the price, said the former American tennis player. AFP photo

Karla Torrijos

La Jornada Newspaper, Saturday, September 6, 2025, p. a11

Former American tennis player Serena Williams revealed that the key points of her successful career, in which she won 23 Grand Slam singles titles, were discipline and having a winning mentality.

Three years after her retirement as a professional tennis player, on September 2, 2022, the historic athlete shared aspects of her career with thousands of young scholarship recipients who attended the event called Mexico Siglo XXI yesterday at the National Auditorium.

Dressed in a pink Mexican dress, sneakers, and with blonde hair, the 43-year-old former tennis player from Michigan said that her mother was the one who instilled discipline in her from a young age, and even confessed that she was not allowed to play tennis if she didn't get good grades in school.

“I feel really lucky that my mother gave me a lot of discipline. I don't know where it comes from. Some of it can be learned, some of it can be brought with you. I was taught, yes, but she was also obsessed with winning and being number one. Discipline is incredibly important to achieving anything, whether in sports, business, or everyday life, and it's a key step toward success,” said the four-time Olympic gold medalist.

He also emphasized that "you always have to have a winning mentality in all aspects of life. Being a winner is something you can prove, and how do you prove it? Regardless of your decision, if you want to be a doctor or do anything, you have to pay the price."

"Champions have to pay for it, and it's not always fun. There are times, for example, when you'd rather sit and watch TV, read a novel, or simply do nothing; however, it's paying the price in the moment because it will pay back in the future.

“Successful people also understand that you have to work hard and that there won't be an immediate reward, but rather a later one. They know that things don't happen overnight; you have to develop the work step by step,” said Williams, who held the number one spot in the WTA rankings for 319 weeks, 186 of them consecutively.

The event, organized by the Telmex Foundation, was also attended by Mexican diver Osmar Olvera, who recently became world champion in the 3-meter springboard event, and the national women's flag football team, which last month won its second title at the World Games in Chengdu, China.

Olvera said his recent success was the fruit of "a lot of effort, a lot of discipline. If you really put your mind to something, that dream will come true sooner or later."

For her part, quarterback Diana Flores commented that her victory "gives us the certainty that Mexicans are made for great things, to break barriers around the world. Sport has that great virtue; it's a means to transcend. Don't give up, anything is possible. Think of gold and dreams will come true."