Javier Aguirre

Javier Aguirre is a 65-year-old Mexican tactician on his third spell in charge of El Tri, having previously led them at the 2002 and 2010 World Cups. He is a pragmatist who prioritises defensive organisation and hard-to-beat compactness, typically deploying a 4-4-2 or 4-3-3 that presses in mid-block rather than high up the pitch. His club career took him through Osasuna, Atlético Madrid, Espanyol and Leganés, where he consistently kept unfancied sides competitive through structure and discipline.

Aguirre typically sets Mexico in a 4-3-3 or 4-4-2 mid-block, sitting compact and looking to win the ball in transition. Edson Álvarez screens the back four, while Orbelín Pineda and Luis Chávez — who possesses a ferocious long-range shot — provide energy and width in midfield. Full-backs Jesús Gallardo and Jorge Sánchez push forward cautiously. The team is built to be hard to break down before releasing Gimenez and Quiñones on the counter.