Forward Guillermo Martínez, of Pumas UNAM, is the main novelty in the list of 12 players called up from Liga MX to represent Mexico (Mexican National Team) in the next World Cup, announced on Tuesday by the Mexican Football Federation(FMF).
In a press release, the FMF confirmed the group of two goalkeepers, two defenders, five midfielders and three strikers who will concentrate in Mexico City from May 6 to begin the final part of the preparation.
Aguirre bets on youngsters amidst offensive doubts
Martínez, with five goals in the Clausura tournament, appears as an alternative in attack at a time when coach Javier Aguirre has doubts about the evolution of some strikers’ ailments.
Santiago Gimenez, of Italian side Milan, has been playing very few minutes after returning from injury.
In addition to the 12 players selected for the World Cup, Aguirre called up eight young players with the capacity to grow.
Those who will accompany the group as ‘assistants’, with the knowledge that they have no chance of being in the World Cup.
This group of ‘assistants’ includes goalkeeper Óscar García (León); defenders Luis Rey (Puebla), Eduardo Águila (San Luis), Jesús Gómez (Tijuana) and Denzell García (Juárez FC).
Midfielders Iker Fimbres (Monterrey) and Jairo Torres (Juárez FC); and forward Kevin Castañeda (Tijuana).
The final list of called-up players for the Mexican National Team will be completed no later than June 1 with the players playing abroad, most of them in Europe.
Marcel Ruiz’s injury shakes the Tri team before the big challenge
Unless there are any surprises, it will include players such as striker Raúl Jiménez of English club Fulham and defender Johan Vásquez of Italian club Genoa.
As well as goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa, from Limassol of Cyprus, who would be participating in his sixth World Cup.
The big absentee from the Mexican National Team’s squad for Tuesday’s match is Toluca midfielder Marcel Ruiz.
He was expected to start the World Cup, but suffered a serious knee injury and there are doubts about his recovery.
12 soccer players called up from Liga MX
QuéOnnda.com
Javier Aguirre’s team has three friendly matches left before the World Cup, against Ghana on May 22, Australia on May 30 and Serbia on June 4.
Mexico will play the World Cup in Group A, where it will face South Africa on June 11, Korea on June 18 and the Czech Republic on June 24.
The two times Mexico hosted the World Cup they reached the quarterfinals, which is a challenge for Aguirre’s ‘Tri’.
First list of the Mexican National Soccer Team for the World Cup 2026
Goalkeepers: Raúl Rangel (Guadalajara) and Carlos Acevedo (Santos Laguna).
Defenders: Israel Reyes (América) and Jesús Gallardo (Toluca).
Midfielders: Luis Romo (Guadalajara), Erik Lira (Cruz Azul), Brian Gutiérrez (Guadalajara), Gilberto Mora (Tijuana), Roberto Alvarado (Guadalajara).
Forward: Alexis Vega (Toluca), Guillermo Martínez (Pumas UNAM) and Armando González (Guadalajara).
With information from EFE
For more information, visit QuéOnnda.com
