FC Juárez will open the Apertura 2026 at home against Club Puebla on 16 de julio de 2026, and Sebastián Jurado says the Bravos arrive with renewed energy and a stronger sense of what the team wants to do this season.
Speaking in Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, before the start of the campaign, the goalkeeper and captain said the club has completed a strong preseason and enters Jornada 1 with positive feelings. Jurado said the team has worked well from day one and now has a full understanding of the coach's philosophy, which has helped create a motivated and committed group.
Jurado sees a demanding opener
The first test comes against a Club Puebla side that Jurado described as dynamic and more proactive under a new coach. He said FC Juárez studied Puebla's preseason matches and expects an opponent that wants to play openly, build from the back and create chances in the attacking phase.
Jurado also pointed to Kevin Velasco and Emiliano Gómez as difference-makers for Puebla. That makes the opening match more than just a season starter for the Bravos. It is also an early test of whether they can handle a rival that should bring a different style and enough quality to punish mistakes.
Jurado said FC Juárez must stay alert, correct its weak spots and make the most of its strengths at Estadio Olímpico Benito Juárez. For a team trying to begin the Apertura 2026 on the right foot, that home advantage could matter immediately.
League play first, but August also brings Leagues Cup
There is another layer to the early schedule. Jurado said FC Juárez is preparing for a double commitment, with the league as the first priority and the Leagues Cup in August also on the calendar. That means the Bravos will need to manage their energy carefully while keeping their focus on one match at a time.
Even with that extra workload coming soon, Jurado's message was centered on optimism. He said the group comes in with renewed energy and a desire to go further, while also stressing the club's connection to the city. He added that the team wants the stadium to keep growing fuller because the support from home fans helps a great deal.
For FC Juárez, the opener against Club Puebla is a clear starting point. Jurado's comments suggest the Bravos see it as both a chance to set the tone and a reminder that the schedule will demand answers quickly.
