As the 2026 FIFA World Cup shines a spotlight on the Mexican national team, one player continues to generate curiosity among fans around the world: Julián Quiñones. Many soccer fans are asking the same question — why does Julián Quiñones play for Mexico if he was born in Colombia?
The answer comes down to citizenship, FIFA eligibility rules, and the player’s strong connection to Mexican soccer after spending most of his professional career in Liga MX.
Julián Quiñones Was Born in Colombia
Julián Quiñones was born in Colombia on March 24, 1997, in Nariño. He began his soccer journey in Colombia before moving to Mexico as a young professional player in 2016.
Over the years, Quiñones became one of the top forwards in Liga MX, starring for clubs including Tigres UANL, Atlas, and Club América. His success in Mexican soccer helped him develop strong ties to the country and its football culture.
How Julián Quiñones Became Eligible to Play for Mexico
Under FIFA rules, players can represent a country if they obtain citizenship and meet eligibility requirements. Quiñones became a naturalized Mexican citizen in 2023 after living in Mexico for several years.
Although he represented Colombia at the youth level, he never played an official senior competitive match for the Colombian national team. Because of that, FIFA allowed him to switch his international allegiance to Mexico once he received citizenship.
This opened the door for him to join the Mexican national team ahead of major international competitions.
Why Quiñones Chose Mexico
Quiñones has publicly expressed his appreciation for Mexico and the opportunities the country gave him throughout his career. After nearly a decade in Liga MX, he built a strong connection with Mexican fans, teammates, and clubs.
His performances in Mexico made him a natural fit for the national team setup, and many supporters embraced his inclusion because of his success in the league.
The forward officially debuted for Mexico in 2023 and quickly became an important attacking option for El Tri thanks to his speed, strength, and finishing ability.
Julián Quiñones and the 2026 FIFA World Cup
Quiñones is expected to play a key role for Mexico during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which is being hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
With Mexico looking to make a deep tournament run on home soil, Quiñones adds valuable experience and attacking depth to the squad. His versatility allows him to play as a striker or winger, giving the team multiple offensive options.
Final Thoughts
So, why does Julián Quiñones play for Mexico? While he was born in Colombia, his long professional career in Liga MX, Mexican citizenship, and FIFA eligibility rules allowed him to represent El Tri on the international stage.
Today, Quiñones is viewed as one of Mexico’s most dangerous attacking players and an important part of the national team’s future heading into the 2026 World Cup.