The crisis surrounding Mexican football is intensifying, and there is little sign of improvement on the horizon. The national team endured a painful exit from Qatar 2022, finishing the group stage with four points. That outcome marked a historic low, as Mexico had not failed to advance to the knockout rounds at a World Cup since 1978, a streak that had persisted since the 1994 United States edition.
The downturn should be understood as part of a broader pattern that fans and analysts have been watching closely. The Tricolor has recently suffered back-to-back final defeats to the United States in regional competitions such as the Nations League and the Gold Cup. In the youth ranks, disappointment has also followed, with the under-20 squad missing out on both the World Cup and the Olympic tournament in Paris 2024.
For a team that has grown accustomed to challenging for the deep stages of major tournaments, this stretch signals a deeper stagnation. There was a sense that Mexican football had stalled after failing to reach a fifth game in seven consecutive World Cups. Now, the concern has shifted toward a potential regression, with the team not even reaching the fourth match in recent campaigns.
There is broad agreement that changes are inevitable. The sense of urgency surrounds both the federation’s leadership and the on-pitch strategy. A generational shift is widely expected, and the idea of protecting familiar figures at the cost of progress must be abandoned. The objective is clear: implement a bold plan, reform every layer of the program, and set Mexico on a path toward a historic, competitive presence in future global events. Only by delivering a decisive overhaul will the nation halt the ongoing decline and restore confidence among players, coaches, and supporters alike.
In the coming months, attention will focus on how the federation restructures itself, the profiles it prioritizes for leadership, and the tactical identity it adopts. The aim is to build a sustainable project that can translate raw talent into consistent results, both in CONCACAF competitions and on the world stage. The road ahead demands transparency, accountability, and a long-term view that transcends short-term results. If those conditions are met, Mexico can regain its standing and compete as a formidable force once again.