In the last seven editions of the World Cup, Mexico have systematically left the competition at the same stage, that of the round of 16. Losing momentum, he will already have to fight to get out of the chickens. Will he then be able to break his glass ceiling?
The story
Among the selections that have never won the World Cup, Mexico is the one with the most participations (17).
Mexico team form
With an aging selection and without real stars, Mexico arrives at the World Cup without great certainty. Preceded in the qualifiers by Canada and the United States, beaten in the final of the Gold Cup 2021 (1-0) by these same USA, “El Tri” is no longer sovereign on its continent. But the criticisms targeting him do not seem to affect coach Tata Martino, who has promised to turn this “ambient pessimism” into a strength. With the injury in August of Jesus Corona (Sevilla) and the long unavailability of Raul Jimenez, he could be deprived of options in attack, but can count on Hirving Lozano (Napoli), his main asset.
The list of selected players
- Guardians: G. Ochoa (Club America), A. Talavera (Juarez), R. Cota (Leon)
- Defenders: J. Sanchez (Ajax Amsterdam/NED), K. Alvarez (Pachuca), N. Araujo (Club America), J. Vasquez (Cremonese/ITA), H. Moreno (Stripes), C. Montes (Stripes), G. Arteaga (Genk/BEL), J. Gallardo (Stripes).
- Environments : A. Guardado (Betis Séville/ESP), H. Herrera (Houston Dynamo/USA), C. Rodriguez (Cruz Azul), E. Gutierrez (PSV Eindhoven/NED), L. Chavez (Pachuca), E. Alvarez (Ajax) Amsterdam/NED), O. Pineda (AEK Athènes/GRE), L. Romo (Rayados).
- Forwards: A. Vega (Chivas), H. Lozano (Naples/ITA), R. Jimenez (Wolverhampton/ANG), R. Alvarado (Chivas), H. Martin (Club America), U. Antuna (Blue Cross). Funes Mori (Stripes).
Compo probable
In Qatar, Mexico are expected to play in a 4-3-3 formation, with an experienced defensive base ranging from Ochoa in the nets to center hinge Hector Moreno-César Montes. Their main offensive threats could come from the wings, occupied by Alexis Vega and Hirving Lozano.
Player to watch: Guillermo Ochoa
Guillermo Ochoa never seems so strong as when he puts on the Mexico jersey. It was at the World Cup, where he will be playing for the fifth time, that the goalkeeper with 129 caps wrote his legend: that of a “small” goalkeeper (1.83 m) very strong on his line, capable of transforming as an impassable rampart on a match. At home, the former doorman of AC Ajaccio, who plays today in his training club, Club América, is still unstoppable.