The Mexico World Cup 2022 squad has been announced, with manager Gerardo Martino whittling down his 31-man provisional list to his final 26 players.
Ageing, frayed at the edges, but providing comforting familiarity, Mexico are the World Cup equivalent of your favourite hangover T-shirt.
Still reliant on the same old names, from Hector Herrera and captain Andres Guardado in central midfield to perma-permed Guillermo Ochoa in goal and Raul Jimenez up top, El Tri have suffered recently from injuries - most notably to bustling Sevilla winger Tecatito - and a loss of form. Their opener against Poland could be key to an eighth straight last-16 appearance.
Mexico will need to learn from qualifying for the Qatar World Cup 2022 to quickly get back on the bike. Featuring back-to-back defeats against the USA and Canada, Mexico's up-and-down campaign concluded with the usual outcome: an easy ticket to the World Cup finals, despite never playing that well. They looked particularly laboured in beating poor Honduras and Jamaica sides. They have to improve in Qatar.
They do have a hugely experienced core, with 2014 hero Ochoa and Real Betis' 177-cap Guardado each at their fifth World Cup, and former Espanyol and PSV centre-back Hector Moreno at his fourth. Their boss Gerardo Martino has had some World Cup success, too: he led Paraguay to the 2010 quarter-finals.
However, there is a big drop in quality between the older generation and the one set for World Cup bows in Qatar. Jimenez's indifferent Wolves form is also a worry.
Mexico World Cup squad 2022
Mexico World Cup 2022 squad: The final 26-man team
- GK: Guillermo Ochoa (America)
- GK: Alfredo Talavera (Juarez)
- GK: Rodolfo Cota (Leon)
- DF: Hector Moreno (Monterrey)
- DF: Jesus Gallardo (Monterrey)
- DF: Nestor Araujo (America)
- DF: Cesar Montes (Monterrey)
- DF: Jorge Sanchez (Ajax)
- DF: Gerardo Arteaga (Genk)
- DF: Kevin Alvarez (Pachuca)
- DF: Johan Vasquez (Cremonese)
- MF: Andres Guardado (Real Betis)
- MF: Hector Herrera (Houston Dynamo)
- MF: Edson Alvarez (Ajax)
- MF: Orbelin Pineda (AEK Athens)
- MF: Uriel Antuna (Cruz Azul)
- MF: Erick Gutierrez (PSV)
- MF: Carlos Rodriguez (Cruz Azul)
- MF: Roberto Alvarado (Guadalajara)
- MF: Luis Romo (Monterrey)
- MF: Alexis Vega (Guadalajara)
- MF: Luis Chavez (Pachuca)
- FW: Raul Jimenez (Wolves)
- FW: Hirving Lozano (Napoli)
- FW: Henry Martin (America)
- FW: Rogelio Funes Mori (Monterrey)
Mexico top scorers
One goal: Henry Martin, Luis Chavez
Mexico yellow cards
Here are all of Mexico's World Cup 2022 yellow cards and suspensions:
1 yellow card: Hector Moreno, Jorge Sanchez, Hector Herrera, Nestor Arraujo, Erick Gutierrez, Roberto Alvarado, Edson Alvarez,
Mexico manager
Who is Mexico's manager for the 2022 World Cup?
Having arrived with the sort of aura to be expected from a former Barcelona boss, Gerardo Martino began with an 11-game unbeaten streak. Three defeats to arch rivals USA in 2021 - in the Gold Cup Final, CONCACAF Nations League final and World Cup qualifying - have clipped his wings, but his players appear to like him, which helps.
Mexico's star player
Who is Mexico's best player?
Guillermo Ochoa, El Tri's star in the past two World Cups, is still going strong aged 37. Despite a couple of difficult domestic seasons with America, his international form has never wavered. Mexico's hopes depend on Ochoa pulling off more miracles like his incredible Gordan Banks-esque save from Neymar in 2014's 0-0 draw with Brazil.
How many players are Mexico allowed to take to the World Cup 2022
National managers were allowed to bring 26 players to last summer’s European Championship for the first time at a major tournament, as a special measure brought in due to the COVID-19 pandemic – while last year's Copa America allowed squads of 28 players.
Now it has been announced that 26-player squads will return for the Qatar World Cup, an expansion from the usual 23-man teams.
