USA and Cameroon Wanted Him, But Mexico Just Snagged This Young Star.

Mexico's national team has launched an ambitious strategy with the 2026 World Cup in mind, zeroing in on snagging young talent who can wear the El Tri jersey not just in the big tournament, but also across their youth levels. Under the direction of Andrés Lillini, appointed Director of National Teams, this scouting effort is starting to pay off, even identifying players with triple nationality and serious potential down the line.

One of the most eye-catching cases is young forward Da'vian Kimbrough. At just 15 years old, Kimbrough holds American, Cameroonian, and Mexican nationalities, thanks to his parents. Despite having played in the youth ranks for the United States, the attacker's talent hasn't gone unnoticed by El Tri, where he's already featured for the U-15 and U-16 squads, flashing his goal-scoring instincts and ability to shake up defenses.

The work of Lillini and his scouting team has been key in identifying Kimbrough and convincing him about Mexico's project. Aware of the interest he's also generating from the US and Cameroon national teams, the Mexican Football Federation is looking to "tie down" the young forward permanently. His previous involvement with Mexico's youth teams is a point in their favor, but the ultimate goal is to secure his long-term commitment to El Tri.

The next crucial step in locking down Kimbrough and ensuring his future with Mexico would be a call-up to the senior national team for an official tournament. In this regard, the U-17 World Cup, set to be held in Qatar next November, presents an ideal opportunity for the young forward to officially represent Mexico and close the door on future call-ups from the United States or Cameroon.

The acquisition of talents like Da'vian Kimbrough showcases the long-term vision of the Mexican national team, aiming to build a solid foundation of young players who can develop into key figures in the future and lead El Tri in major competitions like the 2026 World Cup. The battle to secure this tricolor gem is a significant win in Lillini's strategy and a beacon of hope for the future of Mexican soccer.