The Mexican national soccer team is at a pivotal crossroads, as two high-profile storylines have come to dominate the headlines just months before the 2026 FIFA World Cup. On one hand, the squad welcomes Richard Ledezma, the Phoenix-born right back who has officially swapped allegiances from the United States to Mexico. On the other, veteran winger Hirving “Chucky” Lozano finds himself embroiled in a club-versus-country standoff that could cost him his place in the national team.
The Mexican Football Federation made waves on January 20, 2026, announcing that Ledezma, 25, would be joining El Tri after completing his association change through FIFA. Ledezma, whose parents are Mexican, had previously represented the United States at the U-20 World Cup in Poland and even made a senior appearance in a friendly against Panama on November 16, 2020. The move, which had been rumored for months, was finally confirmed, offering Mexico a much-needed boost at right back—a position that’s become a revolving door under coach Javier Aguirre.
“We want players who are committed and ready to contribute,” Aguirre emphasized ahead of the upcoming friendlies. The timing could not be better for Ledezma, who has been included in Mexico’s 27-man roster for friendlies against Panama and Bolivia, scheduled for January 22 and January 25, respectively. After six productive seasons with PSV Eindhoven in the Eredivisie, Ledezma recently signed with Chivas and has already started the first three matches of the Clausura tournament. His immediate impact at the club level has not gone unnoticed, and with Aguirre’s persistent struggles to find a reliable right back—having tested about half a dozen players since taking over in August 2024—Ledezma’s arrival could not be more timely.
The opportunity is significant; Aguirre has made it clear that the right back spot is up for grabs. “We’ve tried several options, but consistency has eluded us,” the coach admitted in a recent press conference. Ledezma’s versatility, international experience, and club form may give him the edge as Mexico looks to solidify its back line ahead of the World Cup. For Ledezma, the chance to represent his parents’ homeland on the sport’s biggest stage is both a personal and professional milestone.
While Ledezma’s story is one of new beginnings and hope, Hirving Lozano’s situation could not be more different. The 30-year-old winger, once a mainstay for Mexico, now faces an uncertain future with the national team. On January 21, 2026, coach Aguirre issued a public warning: if Lozano does not secure a club where he can get regular minutes, his place in the World Cup squad is in serious jeopardy. “Yes, I have spoken with him more than once about this situation,” Aguirre told reporters. “The conversation is private, of course, but I’ll say this: I have more arguments if players are playing.”
The tension stems from Lozano’s ongoing standoff with San Diego FC, who announced on January 9, via sporting director Tyler Heaps, that Lozano would no longer be part of their plans following a clash with coach Mickey Varas. “We have communicated to Hirving and his representatives that he will not be part of our plans moving forward. This was not a decision taken lightly; it was a consensus among the owners, managers, and myself. We are working with him and his representatives to find the best solution and environment for him, and we believe the best for all is a transfer,” Heaps explained.
Yet, nearly two weeks after the announcement, Lozano remains at San Diego FC, reportedly refusing to leave unless the club pays out his contract in full—a deal that runs through December 2028. According to the MLS Players Association, Lozano earns $7.6 million annually with bonuses and could collect as much as $18 million if he sees out his contract. San Diego FC, however, is pushing for a sale or, as a last resort, a loan move to avoid the hefty severance. The impasse has left Lozano sidelined, with no minutes on the pitch and his World Cup dream slipping further from reach.
Transfer market expert Fabrizio Romano has reported that Lozano is determined to remain at San Diego, prioritizing his contract payout over playing time. Aguirre, for his part, has tried to nudge the winger toward a resolution. “I have spoken with Hirving, it’s his decision, he’ll have to think about everything that’s involved and we’ll see what happens. I do like that (the selected players) are at least physically and football-wise in shape, you know?” the coach stated, hinting at his growing impatience.
This isn’t the first time Lozano has clashed with the national team setup, or with Aguirre in particular. The winger was excluded during the first year of Aguirre’s tenure due to what was described as a poor attitude and critical comments about former coach Jaime Lozano. After a Nations League defeat to the United States on March 25, 2024, Lozano remarked, “We didn’t have our best day. The approach wasn’t right and we stopped doing things, everyone in general.” Later, after being left out of the Copa América 2024 squad, Lozano publicly voiced his frustration: “At that time, a year ago, I was a champion in Italy, I arrived in Holland and was a champion. So you tell me if I wouldn’t be upset, I didn’t like it and I didn’t enjoy it, but those are decisions everyone makes.” These repeated run-ins have only deepened the rift between player and coach.
Now, with the global transfer window closing at the end of February, the clock is ticking for Lozano. The choice is stark: swallow his pride, leave San Diego, and find a club that will give him the minutes he needs to be in peak condition for the World Cup—or stay put, collect his salary, and risk watching the tournament from home. The stakes have never been higher, and the outcome could have far-reaching implications for both Lozano’s career and Mexico’s World Cup hopes.
Meanwhile, the Mexican squad is preparing for its upcoming friendlies, with the spotlight firmly on both Ledezma’s integration and Lozano’s predicament. Fans and pundits alike are eager to see how Aguirre’s selections and strategies play out, especially as the team seeks to put past controversies behind and build momentum heading into the summer’s main event.
As the national team takes the field against Panama and Bolivia, all eyes will be on the new faces and the notable absences. With World Cup places on the line and the transfer window rapidly closing, the coming weeks promise drama, decisions, and perhaps a few surprises. The next chapter for Mexico’s national team is being written in real time, and the stakes could hardly be higher.