Mateo Chavez had never scored for Mexico in 10 senior caps. He picked the World Cup to change that.
The 22-year-old AZ Alkmaar defender found the net in his World Cup debut, adding his name to the list of Mexican players who’ve opened their international scoring account on the sport’s grandest stage. For a player born in 2004 who only received his first senior national team call-up in 2025, the trajectory has been steep.
From first cap to World Cup goal in just over a year
Chavez earned his first senior Mexico call-up in 2025, accumulated 10 caps heading into the tournament, and entered the 2026 FIFA World Cup without a single international goal to his name.
The 2026 World Cup carries particular weight for Mexican football. It marks the first time Mexico has co-hosted the tournament, sharing duties with Canada and the United States.
