Newly appointed manager Rafael Márquez has announced his inaugural 26-man squad for Mexico's upcoming autumn friendlies in the United States.

Photo: @miseleccionmx

The Rafael Márquez era for the Mexican National Team is officially underway. The newly appointed manager revealed his inaugural 26-man squad on Thursday, setting the stage for El Tri's upcoming friendlies during the September and October international window. This initial roster marks the official kickoff of the national team's preparations toward the 2030 FIFA World Cup.

Mexico's autumn tour in the United States features four high-profile matches designed to test new tactical frameworks and evaluate emerging talent. Márquez will make his managerial debut on September 26 against Colombia at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore. El Tri will subsequently face Peru on September 29 in New Jersey, take on the United States on October 3 in Phoenix, Arizona, and conclude the series against Chile on October 6 in Los Angeles. These fixtures serve as crucial preparations ahead of November's Concacaf Nations League matches.

The roster selection reflects a careful balance between established figures and exciting new faces, though it is shaped by notable absences. Key players such as Raúl Jiménez, Julián Quiñones, and César Montes were ruled out due to physical ailments, while midfielder Edson Álvarez and winger César Huerta missed out due to a lack of recent playing time. Meanwhile, veteran goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa steps aside following his historic sixth World Cup appearance in 2026. Domestic giants Chivas feature prominently with six players included in the wider setup, while European-based standouts like Santiago Giménez, Hirving Lozano, and Johan Vásquez anchor the core group.

Supporting Márquez in this new endeavor is a highly experienced coaching staff featuring Juan Manuel Lillo and Andrés Guardado, bringing a wealth of tactical knowledge and international leadership as Mexico builds toward the next decade.

Goalkeepers

• Raúl Rangel
• Óscar García
• Álex Padilla

Defenses

• Johan Vásquez
• César Montes
• Víctor Guzmán
• Israel Reyes
• Everardo López
• Jorge Sánchez
• Jesús Gallardo
• Diego Campillo
• Mateo Chávez

Midfielder

• Luis Romo
• Luis Chávez
• Álvaro Fidalgo
• Érick Lira
• Orbelín Pineda
• Alan Cervantes
• Obed Vargas
• Jeremy Márquez
• Denzell García
• Gilberto Mora

Forwards

• Roberto Alvarado
• Hirving Lozano
• Santiago Giménez
• Armando González
• Germán Berterame
• Santiago Sandoval
• Hugo Camberos
• Isaías Violante

At 39 and after 207 appearances, Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from the Argentina national team following the 2026 World Cup and personal reflection.

Photo: Getty Images

World football bids farewell to its greatest international icon. Lionel Messi announced his final retirement from the Argentina national team on Monday, August 31, bringing a golden two-decade chapter with the Albiceleste to a close. At 39 years old, the historic captain and talisman communicated a decision that, although contemplated since the conclusion of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, was deeply reinforced by the passing of his father, Jorge Messi, on August 8.

In an open letter shared via his official social media channels, the Inter Miami forward revealed that the text was originally drafted on July 21—just two days after Argentina’s 1-0 extra-time defeat to Spain in the 2026 World Cup final. However, recent family events solidified his final conviction. "I always gave my all, not just in the recent years when we won everything, but before too," Messi wrote, highlighting the unwavering commitment that defined his 207 appearances and 125 goals for the senior national team, establishing him as the country’s all-time leading scorer.

Messi’s journey with Argentina encompasses profound heartache and absolute glory. After years of heartbreak and near-misses, the Rosario native leaves having secured the 2021 Copa América, the 2022 Finalissima, the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, and the 2024 Copa América, alongside a runner-up finish at the 2026 World Cup. Accumulating 68 assists and unmatched leadership, his tenure fundamentally transformed modern Argentine football and left an indelible mark on the international stage.

"I emptied myself, I have nothing left to give, and besides, great young players are coming up who deserve their place," Messi stated, acknowledging that a generational transition is vital for the Albiceleste's future. Although he remains contracted with Inter Miami in MLS through 2028, the iconic sky-blue and white jersey will no longer bear his number on the pitch. "Now I will be just one more of you, always cheering and supporting from the outside," he concluded, ending a chapter that defined generations of football fans worldwide.

Powered by goals from Raphael Veiga and Brian Rodríguez, alongside a crucial penalty save by Rodolfo Cota, Club América defeated Columbus Crew 2-0 to advance to the 2026 Leagues Cup semifinals.

Foto: @ClubAmerica

Powered by a late-match screamer from Orbelín Pineda and a resilient performance, Rayados de Monterrey edged Chicago Fire 2-1 to reach the 2026 Leagues Cup semifinals.

Photo: @Rayados

Resilience and individual brilliance are often the defining traits of championship contenders. In a high-stakes quarterfinal clash of the 2026 Leagues Cup, Rayados de Monterrey showcased both qualities, overcoming adversity to secure a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Chicago Fire and punching their ticket to the tournament’s semifinals.

Matías Almeyda’s side entered the match looking to maintain continental momentum against a formidable Chicago Fire squad that arrived with a flawless group-stage record and status as one of Major League Soccer's standout performers. The opening exchanges demanded absolute focus, with both midfields battling fiercely for territorial control.

The first golden opportunity for the visitors from Monterrey arrived in the opening half when Hugo Cuypers was brought down inside the box, prompting the referee to point to the spot. However, Lucas Ocampos squandered the chance to break the deadlock, seeing his penalty attempt crash against the left post.

Despite the psychological blow, Rayados regrouped just before halftime. In the 45+4th minute, Gerardo Arteaga delivered a pinpoint cross into the area, where Víctor Guzmán met it with a powerful header that flew straight into the top corner, sending Monterrey into the locker rooms with a 1-0 advantage.

Chicago responded immediately after the break, pressing higher up the pitch. Their persistence paid off in the 59th minute when Philip Zinckernagel found space inside the penalty area and fired a low, precise shot past the goalkeeper to tie the score at 1-1.

As tension gripped the pitch and extra time loomed large, the match found its decisive turning point. In the 83rd minute, Orbelín Pineda picked up a loose ball outside the area and unleashed a breathtaking right-footed rocket that sailed straight into the far top corner, leaving Chicago goalkeeper Chris Brady with zero chance and restoring Monterrey's lead at 2-1.

With the final whistle, Rayados confirmed a gritty 2-1 triumph, advancing to the semifinals of the 2026 Leagues Cup where they will face the winner of the matchup between Club América and Columbus Crew.

Launching a decisive attack 34 kilometers from the finish in Bad Dürkheim, Mexican cyclist Isaac del Toro secured second place on the queen stage to claim the overall lead at the 2026 Tour of Germany.

Foto: Instagram isaac_deltoro_romero1

The rain-slicked roads of Rhineland-Palatinate served as the backdrop for another masterclass in tactical awareness and climbing prowess from Mexican cycling sensation Isaac del Toro. Competing in the 2026 Lidl Deutschland Tour, Stage 3 established itself as the queen stage of the race, featuring a grueling 170.8-kilometer trek from Herxheim bei Landau to Bad Dürkheim with over 3,100 meters of cumulative elevation gain.

From the outset, the peloton maintained a punishing pace across the undulating terrain. UAE Team Emirates-XRG executed a precise strategy to protect their leader as the major contenders vied for control on the demanding climbs. The tactical turning point arrived with 34 kilometers remaining when Del Toro launched a blistering attack on the Rotsteig climb, shattering the main group and dropping overnight leader Louis Barré.

The Mexican prodigy quickly bridged the gap to Italian rider Giulio Pellizzari (Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe), forming a two-man breakaway that successfully held off the chasing pack. In the sprint to the finish line in Bad Dürkheim, Pellizzari claimed stage victory in 4 hours, 3 minutes, and 44 seconds, while Del Toro crossed safely in second with the exact same time, securing crucial bonus seconds and optimal positioning.

The stellar performance allowed Del Toro to overturn a six-second deficit, overtaking Team Visma’s Louis Barré to capture the blue leader's jersey. Holding a 52-second advantage heading into Sunday’s fourth and final stage—a 156-kilometer test starting and finishing in Heilbronn—Del Toro stands on the cusp of an extraordinary overall victory in Germany.

European and North American governing bodies are in talks to launch a joint Nations League featuring 96 member associations starting in 2028, paving the way for competitive fixtures between Concacaf powerhouses and European giants.

The landscape of international football could undergo a monumental transformation starting in 2028. High-ranking officials from UEFA and Concacaf have initiated formal discussions to structure a joint Nations League uniting all 96 member associations across both confederations, opening the door to regular, competitive fixtures between North, Central American, Caribbean, and European powerhouses.

According to reports from The Guardian and sources cited by ESPN, the project is currently in its nascent exploratory phase, lacking a finalized calendar or official approval. The primary objective is to kick off the ambitious tournament immediately following the 2028 UEFA European Championship on a biennial cycle. Organizers intend to utilize existing FIFA international windows—September, October, and November for group stage matches, March for playoffs, and June for the Final Four—thereby avoiding fixture congestion.

Sporting-wise, the proposed format would mirror the division-based hierarchy currently operated independently by both confederations. Top-tier nations, including Concacaf heavyweights Mexico, the United States, and Canada, would share the elite tier alongside traditional European powerhouses such as Spain, France, England, Germany, and Italy. This structure would introduce promotion, relegation, and high-stakes knockout rounds, replacing routine friendly matches with meaningful competitive fixtures.

The initiative also addresses complex logistical and commercial hurdles. To mitigate the strain of intercontinental travel, group stages would be organized into geographic blocks. Furthermore, commercial revenues generated by combining two of the world’s most lucrative sports markets would be redistributed among participating federations, boosting financial development for lower-income associations.

This diplomatic alignment builds upon a Memorandum of Understanding signed by both confederations in April 2026, reinforcing strategic cooperation amid mounting friction with FIFA leadership and President Gianni Infantino. While crucial details regarding broadcasting rights, commercial partnerships, and alignment with UEFA’s newly approved tournament formats for 2028-29 remain under review, the prospect of regular competitive clashes against European elite marks a thrilling horizon for regional football.

FIFA has slapped Argentina’s Leandro Paredes with a 10-match suspension and fined the AFA $321,000 following disciplinary breaches and post-match altercations in the 2026 World Cup final.

Photo: AFP

The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has delivered one of the most stringent rulings of the football calendar, issuing heavy sporting and financial sanctions following the chaotic post-match altercations of the 2026 World Cup final, where Spain edged Argentina 1-0 at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium. Following a rigorous review of refereeing reports and security footage initiated on July 29, global football's governing body cracked down on multiple infractions occurring after Ferran Torres’ extra-time winner secured the trophy for "La Roja".

The heaviest individual penalty landed on Argentine midfielder Leandro Paredes, who received a 10-match suspension and a $90,000 fine for multiple counts of aggression. Fellow defender Nahuel Molina was slapped with a 7-match ban and an identical $90,000 fine for attempted and completed acts of aggression and unsportsmanlike conduct. Additional individual sanctions included a one-match ban and a $30,000 fine for Thiago Almada, a 3-match ban and a $30,000 fine for coaching staff member Roberto Ayala, and a one-match ban with a $30,000 fine for Spain’s Gavi over unsportsmanlike behavior. Under Article 69 of the Disciplinary Code, these suspensions will apply strictly to upcoming international matches, sparing their respective clubs.

Beyond individual player punishments, the Argentine Football Association (AFA) was hit with a massive collective fine of $321,000. This financial penalty covers multiple violations of FIFA's Disciplinary Code, including Article 13 (using a sporting event for political demonstrations after displaying a banner reading "Las Malvinas son argentinas"), team misconduct, stadium security failures under Article 17, and discriminatory chants by supporters under Article 15.

As part of the mandatory measures tied to Article 15 breaches, FIFA ordered Argentina to play their next two home matches with a 50% spectator capacity restriction, while mandating that $100,000 of the fine be funneled into an anti-discrimination action plan. Notably, one home match suspension and $100,000 of the fine were suspended under a probationary period. All parties have ten days to request detailed grounds for the decision, which remains subject to appeal.

The American squad announced the departure of Graeme Lowdon and appointed Franco-Polish engineer Marcin Budkowski to lead technical and operational development for Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas.

Photo:  @F1

Cadillac F1 has enacted a major organizational shift ahead of the resumption of the 2026 Formula 1 World Championship. The American team officially confirmed the departure of Team Principal Graeme Lowdon and announced the appointment of veteran Franco-Polish engineer Marcin Budkowski as his successor, effective starting at the Dutch Grand Prix at Circuit Zandvoort from August 21-23.

According to executive leadership headed by CEO Dan Towriss, the transition represents a planned evolution as the organization concludes its initial build-out phase to focus on track performance, car development under the cost cap, and operational efficiency.

Budkowski, 49, brings over two decades of Formula 1 experience to the role. He began his career at Prost before holding senior technical positions at Ferrari and McLaren. Following a tenure as Head of the FIA Technical Department, he joined Renault in 2017, later serving as Executive Director during the team's transition to Alpine.

"Cadillac F1 Team has an extraordinary foundation and ambition. This is a phase of tremendous opportunity for the team, defined by a clear goal: maximizing car development within the cost cap and operating every area of the organization to compete," Budkowski stated following his appointment.

The management change directly impacts the garage environment for drivers Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas. During the first half of their debut season, Cadillac F1 faced reliability and execution hurdles, leaving the team searching for its first championship points, with Perez's 11th-place finish at the Monaco Grand Prix marking their highest result to date.

The Myth of Unión: From Fabric Stores to the Birth of Chivas

Guadalajara, 1908. In the halls of Las Fábricas de Francia and El Ciudad de México, the most luxurious department stores in the capital of Jalisco, the air smelled of imported fabrics, European perfumed soaps, and a strict social hierarchy. Behind the counters, young Mexican clerks arranged heavy rolls of cashmere under the strict gaze of their bosses, French and Belgian immigrants.

 The 3-2 defeat to England at the Estadio Azteca seals Mexico's sporting elimination, yet it opens the door to a deeper reflection on the intangible triumph of a nation that transformed the World Cup both in the streets and on the pitch.