Obed Vargas chose Mexico over USA, and he said the decision came down to family and his love for the country. The U.S.-born midfielder said he would make the same choice again, a line that puts his national-team call inside a broader pattern for El Tri.
Obed Vargas and El Tri
“For me it's not whether it was worth it or not, I chose to play for Mexico for the love of this country, for my family. If I wasn't here now, I'd do it exactly the same way. I love this country, and my family,” Vargas said. That answer is direct, and it leaves little room for a different reading of why he picked Mexico.
His choice matters because Mexico now has four World Cup players born abroad. Vargas was born in the United States, while Álvaro Fidalgo was born in Spain, Julián Quiñones was born in Colombia, and Brian Gutiérrez was born in the United States.
Mexico’s Abroad-Born Core
That list shows how Mexico has widened its pool without changing the badge on the shirt. Fidalgo was naturalized in February, and Quiñones completed his naturalization process in October 2023. Both sit in the same current frame as Vargas: players born outside Mexico who have still chosen El Tri.
Quiñones’ path adds the sharpest contrast. He was born in Magüí Payán, Colombia, scored 50 goals across 38 matches, and moved to Monterrey at age 17 to start his professional career. The move from birthplace to Mexico has not been automatic; it has come through a long process, and only then through a final choice.
Javier Aguirre has also backed that side of the story. “Julián is a humble kid, Julián is a kid who likes to listen,” he said of Quiñones, then added, “I have nothing but words of praise for him, because he and many others who are there, it's cost them a lot to get all the way to this point. I've seen family photo albums, and it makes you want to cry because of what these players -- the parents of these players -- have gone through to get to where they are.”
Mexico City After Czechia
The mood around the group was already visible after Mexico beat Czechia 3-0. Fidalgo said, “Today, we're all here with Mexico,” and later added, “Today, all Mexicans are hand-in-hand. We're enjoying this victory.... We're here. Mexicans, the Mexican national team, savoring this full-circle night for everybody.” He also said, “I'm grateful.”
Chavela Vargas provided the line that keeps getting pulled back into this debate: “Los mexicanos nacemos donde nos da la rechingada gana.” That sentiment fits the way these choices are being framed around Mexico, where birthplace, paperwork, and loyalty are all part of the same roster story.
For Vargas, though, the explanation is already on the record. He chose Mexico for love of the country and his family, and he said he would make the same decision again.
