Mexico’s women’s team isn’t just "improving." That’s a lazy narrative. If you’ve actually watched them over the last year, you’ve seen a squad that has fundamentally shifted its DNA. They aren't the team that gets bullied by the USWNT anymore. Honestly, the 2-0 victory over the United States in the 2024 Gold Cup was the moment the world finally noticed what Liga MX Femenil had been building for seven years.
It’s about respect now.
While the men’s side has been caught in a bit of a cycle of "will-they-won't-they" mediocrity lately, the women’s team—often called El Tri Femenil—is moving with a kind of frightening purpose. Under Spanish coach Pedro López, they’ve jumped to 29th in the FIFA rankings as of early 2026. But rankings are just numbers. What matters is the 2026 schedule and the sheer amount of young talent flowing out of Pachuca, Tigres, and Monterrey.
The Pedro López Effect and the Youth Revolution
When Pedro López took over in late 2022, he didn't just bring a new playbook. He brought a "win everything" mentality he cultivated while leading Spain’s U-20s to a World Championship. He basically looked at the veteran core and decided they needed a shot of adrenaline.
Enter the teenagers.
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Alice Soto is 19. She's already scoring braces against international competition like she’s playing in her backyard. Montserrat Saldívar and Fatima Servín are also part of this "New Mexico" wave. They don't have the baggage of the 14-year losing streak against the U.S. that plagued previous generations. To them, the giants of CONCACAF are just another opponent to press into the dirt.
López’s philosophy is pretty straightforward: if you’re good enough, you’re old enough. He has implemented a tactical system that mirrors the youth ranks, making the transition to the senior team feel seamless. It's why you see a player like 19-year-old Angelique Saldivar playing with the composure of a 30-year-old veteran.
Why Liga MX Femenil Changed Everything
You cannot talk about the Mexico women's football team without talking about the domestic league. Before 2017, Mexican players had to go to American colleges or European clubs to get any real development. Now? The money is in Monterrey.
The league has become a magnet for talent. It's not just for local girls anymore; stars like Charlyn Corral returned home to play for Pachuca, and foreign internationals are flocking to Tigres UANL. This constant high-level competition has hardened the national team.
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- Charlyn Corral: At 34, she’s still a nightmare for defenders. She’s currently one of the top scorers in the league for the 2025/2026 season.
- Jacqueline "La Maga" Ovalle: She is, quite simply, the most creative player in Mexico. Her goal against the U.S. in the Gold Cup wasn't a fluke; it's what she does every weekend for Tigres.
- Rebeca Bernal: The captain. The rock. She’s the one holding the backline together while the attackers go off and have fun.
The Road to 2027 and the 2026 Calendar
Mexico is currently grinding through the CONCACAF W Championship qualifiers. They’ve got a match against Saint Lucia coming up in March 2026, and quite frankly, it’s a game they should win by four or five goals. But the real tests are the friendlies.
The 2026 "MexTour" is taking the team through major U.S. stadiums—Soldier Field in Chicago against Belgium, and the Alamodome in San Antonio against Paraguay. These aren't just exhibitions; they are survival tests for a team that desperately wants to return to the World Cup stage in 2027. Mexico hasn't been to a World Cup since 2015. That is a massive gap for a country this obsessed with football.
Surprising Fact: The "Other" Football
A lot of people get confused when they see Mexico winning gold medals in "World Games" or against the U.S. with scores like 39-6. That’s usually the Flag Football team. While the soccer squad is rising, the Mexican Women’s Flag Football team is actually ranked #2 in the world. Key players like quarterback Diana Flores have become national icons, and that success is actually bleeding over into the soccer world by driving more investment and viewership into women's sports across the board.
What Most People Get Wrong About El Tri Femenil
The biggest misconception? That they are still just a "counter-attacking" team.
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Sorta.
Under López, they’ve become much more comfortable with the ball. They want to dictate the tempo. If you watch a match from 2021 and then watch one from last month, the difference in technical ability is staggering. They aren't just hoofing the ball up to a lone striker and praying. They are building from the back, using midfielders like Alexia Delgado to recycle possession.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Bettors
If you’re following this team or looking at the 2026 landscape, keep these points in mind:
- Watch the "Big Three" Clubs: Most of the national team plays for Tigres, Monterrey, or Club América. If those teams are in good form, the national team usually is too.
- Alice Soto is the Metric: Keep an eye on her minutes. If she’s starting and thriving, it means Mexico is playing an aggressive, modern style. If she's on the bench, López might be opting for a more "safety-first" veteran approach.
- The Home Advantage: Mexico is beginning to play more matches at home in venues like Estadio Jalisco or the Azteca. The atmosphere is finally starting to rival the men's games, which is a massive psychological boost.
The goal is clear: become the dominant force in CONCACAF by 2027. With the way the youth are playing and the league is spending, they are well on their way.
To stay ahead of the curve, track the Liga MX Femenil stats weekly on platforms like FotMob or 365Scores. Focus specifically on "big chances created" by Jacqueline Ovalle and the save percentage of Esthefanny Barreras. These individual metrics are the best indicators of how the national team will perform in the upcoming 2026 friendlies against European opposition.