Mexico’s World Cup knockout ‘hurts deeply,’ says captain Edson Álvarez

Mexico’s captain Edson Álvarez expressed that his country’s exit from the World Cup “hurts deeply,” but he remains optimistic about the team’s future. Mexico faced a heartbreaking 3-2 loss to England in a thrilling round-of-16 match held in Mexico City on Sunday.

Álvarez stated, “The team gave it their all against a top team. At no point did we feel inferior.” Following the game, he conveyed the emotional weight of the defeat, emphasizing the strong bond within the team, which he referred to as a family. “It hurts deeply because this is a family — a spectacular group from start to finish,” he added.

The team had aspirations of reaching the quarterfinals of the FIFA World Cup 2026 for the first time since 1986. However, the match revealed a silver lining amidst the disappointment.

Javier Aguirre’s squad managed to restore national pride by winning four consecutive matches in World Cup history without conceding a single goal. This feat created a newfound belief in the team.

Among the standout performers was 17-year-old midfielder Gilberto Mora, the youngest player at the tournament, who started in three of Mexico’s five matches, including Sunday’s loss.

“There were many doubts about this group, but we fought for everything until the very end,” Álvarez remarked. “I believe this is the path we need to follow, given the talent and the players we have.”

After the game, Mexico’s president, Claudia Sheinbaum, reached out to support El Tri. She urged the players to look forward and highlighted the importance of national unity as co-hosts of the World Cup.

“Keep your spirits high! Sometimes you win, and sometimes you learn; the important thing is to move forward and represent Mexico with pride,” Sheinbaum stated on X. She praised the young players’ achievements, emphasizing their lasting impact on the people’s hearts.

Looking ahead, Mexico will transition to a new leadership era under Rafa Marquez, who will succeed Aguirre as head coach. Marquez, a legendary figure in Mexican football, has served as an assistant to Aguirre since August 2024.