Javier Aguirre: “The World Cup will be the ultimate test.”

Javier Aguirre was carried on the shoulders of more than 70,000 spectators on the field at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas, during the celebrations for the Mexican National Team's 2025 Gold Cup title.

The 'Vasco' was a key player in El Tri's tenth trophy in this competition, but he also made his name in history by winning three championships and becoming Mexico's most successful coach.

But Aguirre and El Tri 's biggest challenge is yet to come. He knows the toughest part is coming next summer: the 2026 World Cup as host.

"The World Cup is going to be a real test for many of us, and we have a year to prepare properly. I think there are people who would say right now that we've passed, but there are always little things we can do better," Aguirre said at the post-Gold Cup 2025 title press conference.

The 'Vasco' won his first title with Mexico in 2009, also over the United States in the Gold Cup, albeit with a resounding 5-0 victory. His second came in March 2025, defeating Panama 2-1 in the CONCACAF Nations League final, a competition El Tri had never won.

The third came in July, defeating the United States 2-1 in the Gold Cup final, thanks to goals from Raúl Jiménez and Edson Álvarez ; Chris Richards had come on for the Americans.

With this, Aguirre broke the tie he had with Ignacio Trelles and Manuel Lapuente, who had won two titles in previous decades.

But he took the situation with modesty and preferred to give all the credit to his players: "As coaches, we depend 100% on the players. It's not the coach who wins games or lifts trophies, it's these friends of mine who did very well."

“From the first minute of May 26th until today, the team's behavior has been exemplary, and it was reflected in their performance. They were very determined, and everyone was celebrating, even those who had to go to the stands. I think this group made a great effort to be together for so long; above all, they grew as a footballer from the first day to the last.”

The Mexican National Team spent 41 days together this summer , with some players who came from Europe or were Liga MX champions joining shortly after.

During that time, El Tri began with some doubts after losing 4-2 to Switzerland and then beating Turkey 1-0 in friendlies. This was followed by an unbeaten run in the Gold Cup , with wins over the Dominican Republic (3-2), Suriname (2-0), Saudi Arabia (2-0), Honduras (1-0), and the United States (2-1), in addition to a 0-0 draw against Costa Rica in the group stage.

Asked about his three main conclusions this summer, the Basque national team responded: "One, which is obvious, is that we are champions. That's what we came for, I said it from minute one, we were favorites and we fulfilled our mission.

“Two, perhaps, the connection with the fans. I see people very committed to our team, both in the United States and Mexico. Three, I think the team is finding a way of playing that has allowed us, in these two tournaments in less than six months, to lift two trophies. These titles encourage us to keep training, give consistency to the words we say, and give us a lot of confidence for the future.”

For the Mexican coach, the Nations League-Gold Cup double also helps consolidate Mexico's position in a CONCACAF arena that has recently seen other national teams grow.

“Obviously it's important because we've been fortunate enough to win the last tournaments that CONCACAF has organized (…) I think we've made good progress in CONCACAF, because it seemed like we were stuck, Panama, Canada, and the United States itself had grown, but I think today we're in a prominent place in CONCACAF.”

The 2026 World Cup will start in June, so only around six friendlies will remain in 2025, and any more available in the first half of 2026.

There will be another test for the players: "There are no more official matches, they are friendlies, and we have to keep looking for players for the World Cup."

Since taking over El Tri in September 2024, Javier Aguirre has played 18 matches, winning 12, drawing three, and losing three. His goal record is 30 and conceding 14, in addition to the aforementioned Gold Cup and Nations League titles.