Efraín Álvarez (born 19 June 2002) is a professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for Liga MX club Tijuana. Born in the United States, he plays for the Mexico national team. He was included in The Guardian's "Next Generation 2019".^[2]

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Efraín Álvarez

Personal information
Full name	Efraín Álvarez
Date of birth	(2002-06-19) 19 June 2002 (age 21)
Place of birth	East Los Angeles, California, United States
Height	1.73 m (5 ft 8 in)[1]
Position(s)	Attacking midfielder
Team information
Current team	Tijuana
Number	26
Youth career
2016–2017	LA Galaxy
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2017–2019	LA Galaxy II	20	(13)
2019–2023	LA Galaxy	94	(6)
2023–	Tijuana	14	(2)
International career‡
2016	United States U15	4	(4)
2017	Mexico U15	9	(1)
2018–2019	Mexico U17	25	(13)
2022	Mexico U21	4	(2)
2021–	Mexico	4	(0)
Medal record Men's football Representing  Mexico CONCACAF Gold Cup Runner-up 2021 United States Team FIFA U-17 World Cup 2019 Brazil Team
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 17 February 2024 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 12 June 2022

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Álvarez was eligible to play for the United States or Mexico, having been born in the United States to Mexican parents. He currently represents Mexico at the senior level after playing for the United States at the U-15 youth level, and once stated, "I'm not closing the door on anyone. I could still play for the U.S. or I could keep playing for Mexico. But I'm with Mexico right now and that's my focus."^[10]

Álvarez originally represented the United States U15's. In April 2016, he served as their captain at the 2016 International Festival of Fútbol in Rosario, Argentina, starting all three matches and leading the United States to the title. In the opening match against Talleres de Córdoba, Álvarez scored three goals and assisted two more goals in a 5–1 victory.^[11] He also scored against Uruguay U15s in a 2–0 win.^[12] In June 2016, Álvarez was again called to the United States U15s, for a four-team tournament in Zagreb, Croatia in which he made one start against Croatia U15s.^[13]

Álvarez began playing for Mexico U15's in September 2016.^[14] He scored a brace for them in a friendly 7–0 win over the Cayman Islands U17 on August 11, 2017.^[15] He also represented the Mexico U15s in their championship-winning run at the 2017 CONCACAF Boys' Under-15 Championship, and provided the game-winning assist against his previous team, the United States U15s.^[16]

Álvarez debuted for the Mexico U17's team in a 1–0 win over the Argentina U17's, and scored the only goal in the match.^[17] He was included in the roster that would participate at the 2019 U-17 World Cup.^[18] He scored four goals in the tournament, scoring the winning goal from a free-kick in the semi-final against the Netherlands^[19] as Mexico finished runner-up against Brazil.^[20]

In November 2020, Álvarez was called-up to the United States national team for a friendly match in Fort Lauderdale against El Salvador. However, he did not receive any playing minutes in that match due to not having yet filed a one-time switch to FIFA in order to officially play for the United States.^[21][22]

In March 2021, Álvarez was called-up to the Mexico national team for friendly matches against Wales and Costa Rica. On March 30, he made his debut with the national team against Costa Rica, coming on as a substitute for Jesús Manuel Corona during the second half for a 1–0 victory.^[23]

In June 2021, Álvarez confirmed his commitment to Mexico over overtures to play for the United States.^[24] A few days later, he replaced the injured Rodolfo Pizarro on the upcoming 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup squad.^[25] On July 10, 2021, his appearance as a substitute against Trinidad and Tobago permanently cap-tied him to Mexico.^[26]

In May 2022, Álvarez was included in the under-21 roster that participated in the 2022 Maurice Revello Tournament,^[27] scoring two goals, Mexico finished third.^[28]

Efraín is the younger brother of professional soccer player Carlos Alvarez.^[29]

Mexico U17

• CONCACAF U-17 Championship: 2019
• FIFA U-17 World Cup runner-up: 2019

Individual

• USL Championship Young Player of the Year: 2018