Mexico name 31-man provisional squad for World Cup
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By Martin Graham | 27th Oct 2022
The countdown to the 2022 World Cup is well underway and in a matter of weeks, 32 teams will battle for the ultimate prize in Qatar.
Just before the competition gets underway, the squad lists always attract much talk and controversy in the same vein. This time around, it would be no different. National team managers still have until Nov.14 to submit their final squad lists to FIFA but provisional lists can come in any time before then.
Mexico mean business as usual in Qatar and have become one of the first sides to name their provisional squad list for the World Cup.
Mexico name 31-man provisional squad
On Wednesday, Mexico head coach Tata Martino named a 31-man squad, which will further be trimmed to 26 names for the final list due by November 14.
That final group will play their part in ensuring that the North American nation extend their run of qualification from the group stage while also trying to end their round of 16 curse.
In seven consecutive World Cups, Mexico have been eliminated in the round of 16, having failed to ever win a fifth game in the competition.
After a qualifying campaign that was just about enough to get the job done, Mexico finished behind Canada on goal difference but ahead of the United States by three points in the top three of Concacaf’s qualifying table.
A closer look at Mexico’s squad
Their star-studded list is led by Ajax midfielder Edson Álvarez, Napoli star Hirving Lozano and Wolves forward Raúl Jiménez. Of course, the ever-green veteran goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa remains a force in Mexican football while longtime midfield stalwarts Andrés Guardado and Héctor Herrera are also present as well.
The big exclusion is perhaps that of Javier Chicharito Hernanded, who was ignored by Tata Martino despite his 18-goal season for LA Galaxy in the MLS.
Mexico MNT 2022 World Cup provisional roster
Goalkeepers (player – club)
- Guillermo Ochoa – Club America
- Alfredo Talavera – FC Juarez
- Rodolfo Cota – Leon
Defenders
- Jorge Sanchez – Ajax
- Nestor Araujo – Club America
- Hector Moreno – CF Monterrey
- Cesar Montes – CF Monterrey
- Johan Vasquez – Cremonese
- Gerardo Arteaga – Genk
- Kevin Alvarez – Pachuca
- Jesus Gallardo – CF Monterrey
- Jesus Angulo – Tigres
Midfielders
- Andres Guardado – Real Betis
- Edson Alvarez – Ajax
- Roberto Alvarado – Chivas de Guadalajara
- Hector Herrera – Houston Dynamo
- Carlos Rodriguez – Cruz Azul
- Erick Gutierrez – PSV Eindhoven
- Luis Chavez – Pachuca
- Diego Lainez – SC Braga
- Erick Sanchez – Pachuca
- Orbelin Pineda – AEK Athens
- Luis Romo – Cruz Azul
- Uriel Antuna – Cruz Azul
Forwards
- Raul Jimenez – Wolverhampton
- Henry Martin – Club America
- Santiago Gimenez – Feyenoord
- Rogelio Funes Mori – CF Monterrey
- Hirving Lozano – Napoli
- Alexis Vega – Chivas de Guadalajara
- Jesus Corona – Sevilla
Martin Graham is an MFF sports writer
