Knee injury leaves Marcelo Flores out of the 2026 World Cup

Cruz Azul won its second title with Joel Huiqui by beating Pumas at the Estadio Olimpico Universitario during Clausura 2026. Now, the Machine seeks the Champion of Champions this Saturday against Toluca at Dignity Health Sports Park, home of the Los Angeles Galaxy of the MLS.

The vision of Joel Huiqui

Prior to the duel, the Mexican coach stressed the importance of the match: “For our team, this match tomorrow is very important because it is the closing of the team’s cycle, knowing that it was a great year, not just a great semester. What more than celebrating it with our people and confirming what has been done with a championship.”

Huiqui recognized the quality of the rival, but showed confidence: “We are going to face such an important rival that has quality players and that has also had great tournaments, [but] I am sure that tomorrow we will win. The team is aware that it is going to be a very intense match, but we are also convinced that we can win it.”

The strategist also spoke about motivating the team to fight for all the titles: “In the preseason, my message was that we had four trophies up for grabs. Being able to close the year with four titles in hand would be wonderful, it sounds difficult, but I don’t think it’s impossible because knowing the ability of my players, I’m sure they will be able to achieve it. We want to create a vintage team with a great legacy.”

Charly Rodríguez: the World Cup is past

Carlos Rodríguez left behind the disappointment of not being called up by Javier Aguirre for the 2026 World Cup. “The World Cup thing has already happened, it was a moment that did hurt, but in the end you have to live in the present. Since I arrived, I had an immense desire to lift a cup with Cruz Azul… It was achieved. I continue to enjoy these moments, we have the opportunity to add another cup and we never get tired of winning,” he declared.

The midfielder emphasized the objective of leaving a mark: “The important thing is tomorrow’s game, nothing more. You have to enjoy when you are fighting for titles and we are enjoying the journey, being very happy. Tomorrow we have the opportunity to write a new story to continue in the club’s letters.”

Cruz Azul and Toluca will define the champion of champions in a duel that promises intensity. The celestial team seeks to confirm its dominance in Mexican soccer.

President Claudia Sheinbaum recognized this Thursday the feat of Mexican cyclist Isaac del Toro, who secured a place on the Tour de France podium and won the white jersey, an award that rewards the best rider under 26 years of age. It is the greatest achievement of national cycling in the history of the competition.

Upon arriving at the Housing for Wellbeing Program assembly in Cuautla, Morelos, Sheinbaum was questioned about the performance of the Baja Californian rider. His reaction was brief but emotional:

“Congratulations!”

Immediately afterwards, the president dedicated a prolonged applause to Del Toro.

Achievement details

Isaac del Toro, 21, became the first Mexican to reach the overall podium of the Tour de France. In addition, he obtained the white jersey, a badge that recognizes the best young man in the race. His performance places him among the emerging figures of the world squad.

Impact for Mexican cycling

This result represents one of the greatest successes of national sport in international competitions. Del Toro, originally from Baja California, is emerging as a reference for future generations of riders in Mexico.

Jürgen Klopp took over as the new Germany coach with a clear message: the privacy of his family is a limit that he will not negotiate. In his first press conference, the former Liverpool coach warned that he could resign if the media invades that space.

“Jürgen Klopp has no career after the national team. Ideally, this will be the highlight of my career, of my life, of my working life. I will put everything I can into it,” declared the 59-year-old coach.

Klopp signed a contract until the 2030 World Cup, with clear objectives: Euro 2028 and the 2030 World Cup. He replaces Julian Nagelsmann, who left the position after Germany’s elimination in the round of 16 of the World Cup against Paraguay. Klopp noted that both Nagelsmann and Thomas Tuchel were treated unfairly by the press.

His goal: to restore enthusiasm to German football

Klopp assured that his mission is not only to win, but to make the team “cool” again. He admitted that he has not closely followed national team matches outside of major tournaments, but promised to create an atmosphere that excites the fans.

“I want to create something with the national team that makes people go home after the game and think, ‘That was really cool,'” he said.

The coach arrives after a year and a half as global director of football at Red Bull. The German federation paid one million euros to a charity linked to Red Bull and agreed to three friendly matches in Leipzig. Klopp will debut in September with four Nations League games against the Netherlands, Greece and Serbia.

Along with Klopp, former defender Per Mertesacker joins as general director of sport, with the mission of promoting youth development. His Liverpool assistants, Peter Krawietz and Pep Lijnders, also return, as well as former footballer Sven Bender. Klopp’s agent, Marc Kosicke, will have a strategic role, but will not be an employee of the federation.