Mexico Star Chooses Lucrative MLS Contract Over 2026 World Cup

Hirving 'Chucky' Lozano opts to continue earning his $7.6 million salary with San Diego FC rather than represent Mexico at the World Cup.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 8:05pm

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A fractured, cubist-style painting depicting the dynamic movement and energy of a soccer player in action, with the player's face and jersey obscured into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes and planes.Lozano's decision to prioritize his club contract over national team duty reflects the growing influence of big-money deals in modern soccer.San Diego Today

Eight years after becoming a Mexico national team hero, Hirving 'Chucky' Lozano has reportedly decided to forgo a spot on El Tri's 2026 World Cup roster in order to continue earning his lucrative $7.6 million annual salary with San Diego FC. Despite opportunities to leave the MLS club and Javier Aguirre's urging to do so, Lozano has chosen financial security over representing Mexico at the World Cup.

Why it matters

Lozano's decision highlights the growing influence of high-paying MLS contracts and the challenges national team managers face in convincing top players to prioritize international duty over club commitments. This case raises questions about the balance between financial rewards and patriotic duty in modern soccer.

The details

Lozano, who became a Mexico cult hero with his winning goal against Germany in the 2018 World Cup, has not played a single minute since San Diego FC's elimination from the 2025 MLS Cup playoffs. Despite being separated from the first team and not being part of the club's 2026 plans, Lozano refused to agree to a mutual contract termination, opting instead to train alone while continuing to collect his high salary. Javier Aguirre, the Mexico national team manager, had urged Lozano to leave San Diego in search of playing time to secure a spot on the 2026 World Cup roster, but the player did not oblige.

  • In September 2025, Aguirre granted Lozano a return to the Mexico national team after over a year of exile.
  • In early 2026, San Diego FC announced that Lozano would not be part of the team's plans for the upcoming season.
  • In the January 2026 transfer window, La Liga side Real Oviedo offered Lozano an escape route, but he turned down the move due to the club's inability to match his San Diego salary.

The players

Hirving 'Chucky' Lozano

A 30-year-old Mexican winger who became a national team hero with his winning goal against Germany in the 2018 World Cup, but has now chosen to continue earning his lucrative $7.6 million annual salary with San Diego FC rather than represent Mexico at the 2026 World Cup.

Javier Aguirre

The manager of the Mexico national team, who urged Lozano to leave San Diego FC in order to secure a spot on the 2026 World Cup roster, but was ultimately unsuccessful in convincing the player to prioritize international duty over his club contract.

Mikey Varas

The manager of San Diego FC, whose relationship with Lozano ruptured, leading the club to announce that the player would not be part of their plans for the 2026 season.

Grupo Pachuca

The ownership group that commands Liga MX side Pachuca, where Lozano made his debut, and also owns La Liga side Real Oviedo, who tried to sign Lozano during the January 2026 transfer window.

Real Oviedo

The La Liga side owned by Grupo Pachuca that offered Lozano an escape route from San Diego FC, but was unable to match his lucrative salary.

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What’s next

With Lozano's decision, Javier Aguirre will need to reevaluate Mexico's options for the 2026 World Cup roster, potentially looking to younger or in-form players to fill the void left by the veteran winger's absence.

The takeaway

Lozano's choice to prioritize his lucrative MLS contract over representing Mexico at the 2026 World Cup highlights the growing influence of high-paying club deals and the challenges national team managers face in convincing top players to prioritize international duty. This case raises questions about the balance between financial rewards and patriotic duty in modern soccer.