Obed Vargas Set for National Team Duty Ahead of January Friendlies
Published on January 22, 2026 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Seattle Sounders FC News Release
Sounders FC midfielder Obed Vargas
(Seattle Sounders FC)
RENTON, WASH. - With Sounders FC in the midst of preseason preparations, midfielder Obed Vargas has been called into the Mexico National Team for a pair of friendlies against Panama and Bolivia as the country continues to prepare for the 2026 FIFA World Cup this summer. This marks Vargas' first call-up since he joined the Mexico U-20s for the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile.
Vargas, 20, joins Mexico for training camp and friendlies against Panama tonight at Rommel Fernández Gutiérrez Stadium (5:00 p.m. PT) and Bolivia on January 25 at Ramón Tahuichi Aguilera Stadium (11:30 a.m. PT). The midfielder earned his first cap with the Mexico senior team in October 2024 with a substitute appearance against the United States in a 2-0 victory, while also being called-up at the U-23 level. The friendlies mark Mexico's ongoing preparation for the 2026 FIFA World Cup that will see El Tri kick off the global tournament against South Africa in Mexico City on June 11 before finishing group play against South Korea on June 19 and the winner of the Denmark / North Macedonia / Czechia / Ireland UEFA Path D playoff on June 24. Vargas started all 41 of his appearances in all competitions last season for the Rave Green, scoring six goals while adding seven assists.
Seattle is currently in Portugal for preseason camp as the club prepares for its 2026 MLS campaign, opening on Sunday, February 22 against the Colorado Rapids on the Emerald Queen Casino Pitch at Lumen Field (6:00 p.m. PT / Apple TV, FS1).
Images from this story
 Sounders FC midfielder Obed Vargas |
Major League Soccer Stories from January 22, 2026
- Sounders FC Announces Updated European Schedule and Roster for 2026 Preseason - Seattle Sounders FC
- Inter&Co Stadium Announces Upgrades Ahead of 2026 MLS & NWSL Seasons - Orlando City SC
- Everything You Need to Know About the Concacaf Champions Cup - San Diego FC
- Earthquakes' Kaedren Spivey Called to U.S. U-17 Men's National Team for 2026 Concacaf U-17 Qualifiers - San Jose Earthquakes
- Staffing Updates Part of Refresh to Not Only the First Team, But Mission for Organizational Improvement Overall - FC Cincinnati
- Whitecaps FC Single Match Tickets on Sale Now for the First Half of the 2026 Season - Vancouver Whitecaps FC
- Philadelphia Union Loan Defender Neil Pierre to Lyngby Boldklub - Philadelphia Union
- Recipients Announced for Home Field Heroes Program - Vancouver Whitecaps FC
- Obed Vargas Set for National Team Duty Ahead of January Friendlies - Seattle Sounders FC
- FC Cincinnati Loan 2024 MLS SuperDraft Selection Brian Schaefer to Tampa Bay Rowdies - FC Cincinnati
- San Diego FC Re-Sign Defender Luca Bombino to a Contract Extension - San Diego FC
- Colorado Rapids Sign Goalkeeper Nico Hansen to New Contract - Colorado Rapids
- FC Dallas Loans Midfielder Enes Sali to Al-Riyadh SC - FC Dallas
- Inter Miami CF Signs Goalkeeper Rocco Ríos Novo on a Permanent Transfer - Inter Miami CF
- New York City FC Announce Visit Tampa Bay as an Official Tourism Partner - New York City FC
- Major League Soccer Announces Updated 2026 Transfer Window Dates - MLS
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
Other Recent Seattle Sounders FC Stories
- Sounders FC Splits Final Two Friendlies of European Preseason Trip
- Sounders FC Completes Transfer of Obed Vargas to la Liga Powerhouse Atlético Madrid
- Seattle Earns 3-0 Win over IF Brommapojkarna on Saturday in Preseason Action
- Seattle Sounders FC and Providence Announce Planned Evolution of Their Partnership
- Sounders FC Announces Additional Friendly against IF Brommapojkarna on January 31
