- The Mexican Soccer Federation (FMF) has announced the appointment of Diego Cocca as the new head coach of the Mexican National Team for the 2026 World Cup.
- Cocca replaced Gerardo Martino after he failed in the 2022 World Cup and was chosen over experienced profiles such as Marcelo Bielsa, Miguel Herrera, and Guillermo Almada.
- Cocca is an intelligent leader with values, professional achievements, and a commitment to the growth of Mexican soccer players. He has expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to coach the National Team and his belief in the players’ talent and commitment.
After a series of rumors behind the curtain of the Tricolor, the Mexican Soccer Federation (FMF) announced the former coach of Atlas and Tigres de la UANL, Diego Cocca as the new coach of the National Team for the 2026 World Cup process, where Mexico will share the World Cup with the United States and Canada.
After months of internal work by the FMF headed by Yon de Luisa, the national team management reached an agreement and opted for the profile of Diego Martin Cocca, who left the reins of Tigres to join the Mexican National Team.
Over experienced profiles such as Marcelo Bielsa, Miguel Herrera, and even Guillermo Almada, the owners’ committee, the executive management, the FMF board – represented by Yon de Luisa – and the National Teams Committee decided that the Argentinean would replace his fellow countryman, Gerardo Martino after he failed Qatar 2022.
At a press conference held at the High-Performance Center (CAR), Cocca was sworn in as the new coach of the National Team, together with the National Team Executive Directorate, formed by Rodrigo Ares de Parga and Jaime Ordiales.
“We are convinced that this is a good decision and that we will succeed with Diego at the helm. We had 5 candidates to take the position. We took the time to interview each of them and spent entire nights analyzing the situation,” said Rodrigo Ares de Parga during the presentation of the Argentinean strategist.
“He is an intelligent leader with values and knows how to lead his teams. He is a natural leader. He has professional achievements that endorse him in Argentina and Mexico. He adapts to different game systems, is demanding, committed, and convincing, and generates credibility. He exploits his conditions well. He is always looking for the growth of the Mexican soccer player, teamwork“, said Jaime Ordiales.
Afterward, the Argentinean helmsman expressed his gratitude for the opportunity and the country in general. “We had very interesting conversations where I felt very comfortable. Rodrigo, Jaime, and the Commission are looking for the best for the national team. For me, it is no small thing that they have chosen me to coach the national team is something very important”.
He clarified the issue with Tigres UANL.
“I was in a spectacular club with spectacular fans, but I think the possibility of coaching this country’s National Team is very important. I want players who wear the country’s jersey and feel proud and privileged… For that to happen, the first one to feel that way is me, and that’s how I feel.”
Diego Cocca
He asks for a commitment from the players that arrive in El Tri.
“I believe a lot in Mexican players, but talent is not enough. We have to give them tools. If we think only about the World Cup, we will stumble over the same stone. Whoever comes has to commit 100 x 100,” said the newly appointed manager.
“We have two and a half years to work, it is a long time, but if we think only about the World Cup, we will stumble over the first stone. It is today, and the message is to the players who come to commit. I don’t see it as a pressure, we have to win even in the small matches, and if we transmit that competitiveness, it will be natural to go out and win”.
Diego Cocca, the new head coach of the Mexican National Soccer Team
“If we do things right, we will reach our goal, which is the World Cup with the best national team and knowing that we have to go out to win every game.”
Who is Diego Cocca?
Where is Diego Cocca from? The coach’s nationality
Diego Cocca was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on February 11, 1972. He was a professional player for 26 years, playing as a defender. He made his debut with River Plate, where he won a title (Apertura 1991), and developed his entire career in clubs in Argentina and Mexico. In Liga MX he played with Atlas (1999-2011), Veracruz (2003-2004) and Querétaro (2005).
What teams has Diego Cocca coached?
After retiring as a professional footballer in 2006, Cocca became a coach. He has coached 12 clubs in three countries: Argentina, Mexico, and Colombia.
He made his coaching debut in 2007 at Comisión de Actividades Infantiles (C.A.I.), head of Argentina’s second-division team. Already in First Division, he coached Godoy Cruz (2008-2009), Gimnasia LP (2010), Huracán (2011-2012), Defensa y Justicia (2013-14), Racing Club (2014-2015 and 2017), and Rosario Central (2019-2020).
In Liga MX he has coached Santos (2011), Tijuana (2017-2018), Atlas (2022-2022) and Tigres (2023).
And in Colombia, he was in charge of Millonarios (2016).
What has Diego Cocca won as a coach?
Diego Cocca has won three league titles as a coach, one in Argentina and two in Mexico.
In his home country, he guided Racing, one of the Big Five of Argentine soccer, to the 2014 Transition Tournament championship. He did so in his first season at the helm. It was the 17th title in the history of La Academia and ended a 13-year championship drought.
In Liga MX, he won the bicampeonato with Atlas in the Apertura 2021 and Clausura 2022. He is already considered a legend in the history of the Zorros for breaking a drought of more than 70 years without winning a first-division title. He also won the Campeón de Campeones 2022 title with the red-and-black team.