The Copa América is no longer an exam

With the Liga MX concluded and only awaiting the announcement of the Concacaf champion, the tricolor summer is about to begin.

A summer in which, since it was announced that the Copa América would be played, has been labeled as the key and crucial moment for aspirations in the 2026 World Cup.

Several things have changed. Firstly, back then Diego Cocca was in charge of the team, and today the responsibility falls on Jaime Lozano.

When Jimmy himself was confirmed, the Copa América was seen as his big final exam. It is the only major tournament that will be played in the run-up to the most important World Cup in the last 40 years for the Mexican national team, and as such, the only significant test to see if both Jaime and his selected players are up to the task of what that event represents.

If they fail, the FMF would seriously consider the possibility of a change, as two years would be ‘sufficient’ to try to save the ship and at least have a somewhat dignified presentation.

However, after the new defeat against the United States in the Concacaf Nations League Final Four, the narrative and story took a radical turn. The Copa América will shift from a final exam to a pilot test.

A few months ago, reaching the semifinals was the goal. Today, the result will take a back seat.

Jaime Lozano has the full support of the directors, and together, they have decided to ‘sacrifice’ the Copa América and use it as a stage to see new faces, with the slight hope that some of them will rise to the occasion and can join the process leading up to 2026

But, how valid is it? Does betting on new faces exempt the Mexican national team from any negative result? Does seeking a generational change absolve them from failure? What would be considered a good result?

There are many questions and few answers. On one hand, it’s a reality that the current feelings are not entirely positive. The current moment for the tricolor doesn’t invite much hope for a great performance in the continental tournament. However, by betting on some new names, the expectations are even lower.

In the process leading up to the World Cup, Mexico is already late. Very late. The United States and Canada have been working since 2018, while in our country progress is made on a year-by-year basis. Immediate success is sought, and as a result, immediate failures are obtained.

That said, the evaluation of Jaime Lozano this summer will have no repercussions (if logic prevails). It was the federations themselves who were in favor of using this tournament more as an “experiment,” and it would be very inconsistent to end the process if a good result is not obtained.

This is the main reason why Mexican football does not progress. Just like in the national team, at the club level, patience and the processes of the technical directors do not exist, which is why new players and processes are not invested in, as three bad matches are enough to remove them from their position.

Returning to the main topic, the bet by the Mexican Football Federation is unprecedented. The result will end up being secondary in an internal exam, but externally, this can be a double or triple-edged sword.

A significant part of the appeal of the Copa América being held in the United States is that it would be accessible to the millions of compatriots living there. These same compatriots have already bought and invested a lot in their tickets. These same compatriots have already hoped that, with the support of the fans, a good performance might be possible.

What happens if they don’t measure up? What happens if they don’t advance past the group stage? The fans will not be happy, the media’s discourse may intensify, and the criticism, even if they say it doesn’t, always affects them. Is the environment prepared to “sacrifice” a Copa América?

Intense days are coming for the Mexican national team. Jaime Lozano has the support of the directors and is not playing for his future in the continental tournament. However, he is playing for the acceptance of the public and the media in general. That acceptance allows you to work peacefully or turns your management into a nightmare.

Do you think Mexico will have a good participation in the Copa América? Bet on this tournament at www.mexplay.mx to add more excitement to all the matches.

Double your first deposit up to $5,000 to bet on sports and casino games at www.mexplay.mx