What Happened to Mexican Football Federation (FMF)?

The Mexican Football Federation (FMF) embarked on a comprehensive restructuring initiative following the men's national team's group stage exit at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, a result that sparked widespread calls for change within Mexican football. In January 2023, then-FMF President Yon de Luisa and Liga MX President Mikel Arriola announced a detailed roadmap for reforms, including the formation of a national team committee and the appointment of Rodrigo Ares de Parga as executive director of national teams. This period saw a significant leadership transition, with Juan Carlos Rodríguez Bas initially designated as the President-Elect of the FMF in May 2023, succeeding Yon de Luisa, and tasked with establishing an Executive Commission for Mexican Football.

Sporting performance of the national team remained a key focus. After a 0-3 defeat to the United States in the CONCACAF Nations League semi-finals, coach Diego Cocca was dismissed in June 2023, leading to Jaime Lozano's interim appointment. Lozano quickly led Mexico to a Gold Cup victory in July 2023, earning him the permanent managerial role until the 2026 World Cup. However, Lozano's tenure was cut short in July 2024 when he declined a contract extension that involved temporarily stepping down during the World Cup cycle, subsequently moving to manage CF Pachuca in May 2025. Javier Aguirre was then appointed as the national team coach, leading Mexico into the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Administratively, 2024 and 2026 brought significant shifts. Juan Carlos Rodríguez, who had transitioned to a commissioner role, resigned in December 2024, citing a lack of support from club owners and disagreements over transparency and a proposed $1.25 billion investment fund. Mikel Arriola, previously Liga MX Executive President, was appointed Executive President of the FMF on December 13, 2024, consolidating his influence. Under his leadership, the FMF invested 400 million pesos ($22 million) in renovating its High Performance Center ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

Perhaps the most profound structural change occurred in April 2026, when Liga MX clubs voted to administratively separate from the FMF, aiming for greater autonomy in managing the league's operations, commercial aspects, and governance. This move was accompanied by other significant Liga MX rule changes, including stringent requirements for foreign player signings and the reintroduction of the under-age rule to promote young Mexican talent. Controversially, in July 2026, the FMF announced the elimination of promotion and relegation in Liga MX, a decision that sparked protests from lower-division teams and fans who viewed it as undermining the sporting integrity of the game.

Mexico, as a co-host, participated in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where the national team delivered a strong performance, winning their group for the first time in history and advancing to the Round of 16 before being eliminated by England. This marked a significant improvement from their 2022 campaign. Post-World Cup, the FMF's relationship with FIFA also came under scrutiny. In July and August 2026, the FMF adopted a cautious stance on FIFA President Gianni Infantino's controversial proposal for a new financial model (FIFA Forward Enterprise), opting to study it rather than outright rejecting it like other confederations, a decision that drew criticism from some quarters. As of October 3, 2026, Rafael Márquez has taken over as the head coach of the men's national team, indicating a new era post-World Cup. The FMF continues to focus on youth development, having launched a national schools tournament in 2025 with FIFA's support.