Mexico is one of those teams that can always be positive news in major tournaments, but never manage to achieve the big win. In the 2018 World Cup, for example, "El Tri" beat then world champion Germany in the group stage, but then failed. The team plays very well between tournaments and is now firmly anchored in the top 15 of the FIFA Rankings.
At the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, it should finally be enough for more than just isolated positive headlines. Mexico will have to prove its worth against the selection of Argentina, Poland and Saudi Arabia in Group C of the 2022 World Cup . With a bit of bad luck, that could end after the group stage as they face an equal opponent in Poland when it comes to the battle for second place.
Squad and alignment of Mexico in the 2022 World Cup.
Mexico has a clear system. The Mexico team almost always plays in an offensive 4-3-3. The team played almost all qualifying matches in a corresponding formation. This system was also used regularly in the 2021 Gold Cup, which took Mexico to the final (0:1 loss in extra time against the USA). Therefore, we assume that we will also see a 4-3-3 formation in the final in Qatar.
Archers.
Mexico's captain Guillermo Ochoa (CF America) is in goal. The curly-haired 37-year-old has been part of the Mexico squad since the 2006 World Cup, but has only been the Mexicans' undisputed starting goalkeeper since the 2014 final.
Alfredo Talavera (UNAM Pumas), who has already turned 40 in the World Cup, should be number 2 on the bench. The third goalkeeper will probably be Rodolfo Cota (CF Pachuca), who at 35 is the youngest goalkeeper on the Mexican World Cup team.
Defenses.
César Montes (CF Monterrey) is seeded in central defense. Néstor Araujo (Celta de Vigo) mostly played alongside him. Italian legionnaire Johan Vásquez (Genoa FC), 24, as well as Carlos Salcedo (Toronto) and Héctor Moreno (CF Monterrey), 34, are also options for central defense.
Team boss Tata Martino can choose between the experienced Jesús Gallardo (CF Monterrey) and the young Gerardo Arteaga (KRC Genk) at left back. Jorge Sánchez (CF América) should be in the starting eleven on the right side. The only 21-year-old Julián Araujo (Los Angeles Galaxy) takes a seat on the bench as an alternative.
Midfielders.
The 25-year-old Dutch legionnaire Edson Álvarez (Ajax Amsterdam) is placed in the center of the defensive field. Former Atlético de Madrid player Héctor Herrera (Houston Dynamo) is a fixture in eighth position ahead of him, with Carlos Rodríguez (CD Cruz Azul) likely lining up next to him. Other central midfielder options in the Mexico 2022 World Cup squad include Erick Gutierrez (PSV Eindhoven) and Luis Romo (CF Monterrey).
Attackers.
The experienced English legionnaire Raúl Jiménez (Wolverhampton Wanderers) is seeded in the attacking headquarters. His first representative is Henry Martin (CF America).
Napoli superstar Hirving Lozano, 27, is the first choice at left winger, but is sometimes called up as right winger by head coach Martino. Otherwise, Alexis Vega (Deportivo Guadalajara) would also be available for the left wing. On the right, Spanish legionnaires Tecatito Corona (FC Sevilla), Orbelin Pineda (Celta Viga) and young star Diego Lainez (Betis Sevilla) are fighting for a place in the Mexican national team.
The Mexican team at a glance: The most important information.
Mexico talent and age structure under review.
Compared to many other World Cup 2022 teams , Mexico actually has a good age structure and quite a few decent talents in their own ranks. For example, the far right Diego Lainez (Betis Sevilla) will only turn 22 at the World Cup in Qatar. Right back Julián Araujo (Los Angeles Galaxy) also has a bright future at 21 years old.
The problem with this: all these players have the highest international class, but no more. The talents are rock solid, but they don't promise to win the 2022 World Cup best player accolade .
Mexicans also have some of these players in the senior segment. Álvarez, from Ajax Amsterdam, turns 25 a few weeks before the start of the tournament. He is a very good defensive midfielder, but he doesn't stand out either. However, it is possible that one or the other will reach the agenda of the best European clubs with good performances.
Mexico's chances at the 2022 Qatar World Cup.
The draw was not especially kind to Mexico. The Latin Americans are part of Group C and have some tough challenges ahead of them. It goes against Argentina, Poland and Saudi Arabia. The team surrounding Argentinian superstar Lionel Messi is not only the heavy favorite in this group, but overall one of the favorites for Qatar 2022 .
Odds for the 2022 World Cup
Saudi Arabia should be relatively safe to leave the Mexicans behind. Poland seems stronger because of the name, but is in the world ranking behind the Mexican team. So it must be an exciting duel for promotion to the round of 16 of the World Cup.
Note: I continue posting in the General category because the category dedicated to the World Cup in Qatar does not appear.
Please check that the modification made by the programmers does not only affect mobile devices. In my case I publish the posts from the PC.
Source images: FIFA.
Thank you for voting, curating and supporting my content. Cheers.