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Gil Mora, Obed Vargas and Mateo Chávez are at the forefront of Mexico’s youth revolution as Javier Aguirre moulds a World Cup squad with a clear vision for the years ahead.

Current Xolos head coach Sebastián “Loco” Abreu is a man who has seen nearly everything the sport can offer. Having played for 31 different clubs, his football journey has few parallels, and there are not many locker rooms or experiences he hasn’t encountered.

That’s why 17-year-old Gilberto Mora could hardly have a better mentor at this stage of his career. As Mora continues to rise through the ranks and break barriers rarely witnessed in Mexican football, Abreu is perfectly positioned to explain what makes the young midfielder so extraordinary.

Mora already holds the distinction of being the youngest player ever to represent El Tri in a World Cup. Yet it’s not just his age that makes his rise so impressive—it’s his composure and confidence in the spotlight. Rather than appearing like a teenager trying to survive on the world stage, Mora looks entirely at home.

Abreu has likened Mora’s footballing style to that of Argentine maestro Pablo Aimar, known for his ability to glide across attacking positions while maintaining influence. He has described Mora as a free-flowing, creative player. Speaking to ESPN MX, Abreu even remarked that if Mora continues his development at this pace, he could reach the level of Luka Modrić’s stellar European career—a comparison that speaks volumes about Abreu’s admiration for him.

Aguirre’s fearless commitment to youth is delivering immediate rewards.

Following Mexico’s commanding 3-0 victory over Czechia, where 22-year-old Mateo Chávez earned Player of the Match honours, Mora faced the media with the same composure he displayed on the pitch.

“Honestly, I thought I could achieve it, but not this soon,” Mora admitted when asked about his first World Cup start. “Now that I’m here, I just try to enjoy the moment, take it one day at a time, and give my best every time I step on the pitch. We’re thrilled to have three wins and no goals conceded. It’s very exciting for us, and we’ll keep working to stay on this path.”

Mora ended the game with two key passes, but what truly stood out was the calmness he brought to El Tri, especially in the second half as Mexico began to threaten inside Czechia’s penalty area. Every touch seemed to steady the team.

“Who was going to take the penalty? Gil Mora, at 17 years old, would have taken it,” Javier “Vasco” Aguirre revealed post-match. “What I mean is that Mateo, Obed and Gil are 20, 21, 19 and 17—I don’t even know exactly. But what matters is that they are extremely well-prepared.

“This is a generation of young Mexicans who are not afraid of the ball or the stage. It doesn’t intimidate them. I’m delighted with them. We’ve got a great group, with some experienced players who’ve played three or four World Cups, and others making their debuts.

“I think we’ve already given debuts to 16 or 17 players—maybe 15, I’m not sure. But I like that. This is the new generation, our future, and we have built a strong base for what’s ahead.”

Building more than just a World Cup team.

This campaign could well be Aguirre’s legacy statement. Beyond guiding Mexico to nine points from nine in the group stage, he has integrated talents such as Chávez, Mora, Obed Vargas, Brian Gutiérrez, Armando “Hormiga” González and goalkeeper Raúl “Tala” Rangel. In doing so, Aguirre has established a framework that will extend beyond this tournament—one that Rafael Márquez is expected to inherit.

“We’re at home—you can feel the energy. You see teams tiring in the second half,” Vargas said after the Czechia win. “The crowd pushes us on every minute. That’s the magic of playing at home. I really believe we can beat any team here.”

Back in 2010, it was also Aguirre who handed World Cup debuts to Giovani dos Santos, Efraín Juárez, Carlos Vela, Javier “Chicharito” Hernández and Héctor Moreno. Aguirre has always placed trust in youth. Chicharito scored twice in that tournament, though Mexico’s run ended with a 3-1 loss to Argentina in the Round of 16.

The difference between 2010 and 2026 lies in the preparation. The current crop of youngsters Aguirre is backing now have far more first-team experience. When Giovani and Vela reached the 2010 World Cup, their professional careers were still developing, despite the lofty expectations following Mexico’s 2005 Under-17 World Cup victory.

This new generation has been allowed to grow more naturally, without the crushing pressure of premature expectations. They have also benefited from guidance by seasoned players such as Guillermo Ochoa, Edson Álvarez, Johan Vásquez, Álvaro Fidalgo, Raúl Jiménez and Jesús Gallardo—the senior core Aguirre credits for helping the squad gel so swiftly.

The future is already here.

Brian Gutiérrez is another shining example. After joining Chivas from Chicago Fire FC, he looked instantly comfortable in Liga MX, as though he had played there for years. That reflects not just his maturity but also the strong developmental work done in the Chicago Fire academy. With two starts in the group stage, Gutiérrez provided Mexico with yet another young player capable of handling the World Cup spotlight.

Mora remains the focal point of this promising generation, his age making his story impossible to overlook. Yet Mexico’s group stage success wasn’t only about him—it was about a collective of youthful talents proving that the future doesn’t have to wait.

That’s why Chávez’s comments after the Czechia victory resonated so deeply. He didn’t speak like a player seeking individual praise, but as someone who understood the spirit driving this team.

“Above all, it’s about the sense of family, the togetherness, the solidarity with the teammate beside you, and the support,” Chávez said. “Honestly, whoever gets the chance gives absolutely everything.

“And the fans—they’ve given us so much energy. They’ve made us believe. We’re connecting really well with them, and that’s helping us keep progressing. Honestly, we’re very happy.”

Mexico entered this World Cup in search of a team to reignite the nation’s faith. Under Aguirre, they’ve found something more profound: a fearless generation making the future feel like it’s already arrived.