Mexico's odds to win the World Cup
100/1
Best World Cup
Quarter-final 1970 & 1986
2018 World Cup
Second Round
Mexico's World Cup Schedule
|
Date |
Fixture |
Location |
|
22nd November 4pm |
Stadium 974, Doha |
|
|
26th November 7pm |
Lusail Iconic Stadium, Lusail |
|
|
30th November 7pm |
Lusail Iconic Stadium, Lusail |
Road to Qatar
Mexico's qualification was relatively untroubled, although successive defeats away at Canada and USA at the end of 2021 might have caused a few nervous flutters in the camp. However, they finished the campaign in style, conceding just one further goal in six games that brought four wins and two goalless draws, to finish level on points with Canada at the top of the group, three points clear of USA and Costa Rica.
Recent form
Mexico's recent form has been much more patchy than their relatively comfortable qualification campaign. A busy schedule of nine friendlies and Nations League games produced a symmetrical but unconvincing record of three wins, three draws and three defeats against Uruguay, Paraguay and Colombia. Their last warm-up memory will be of that final loss to Colombia, whom they led 2-0 at the break, only to concede three goals in quick succession early in the second half to go down 3-2.
Mexico’s World Cup squad
Goalkeepers: Guillermo Ochoa (Club America), Alfredo Talavera (Juarez), Rodolfo Cota (Leon)
Defenders: Jorge Sanchez (Ajax), Kevin Alvarez (Pachuca), Nestor Araujo (Club America), Johan Vasquez (Cremonese), Hector Moreno (Monterrey), Cesar Montes (Monterrey), Gerardo Arteaga (Genk), Jesus Gallardo (Monterrey)
Midfielders: Andres Guardado (Real Betis), Hector Herrera (Houston Dynamo), Charly Rodriguez (Cruz Azul), Erick Gutierrez (PSV Eindhoven), Luis Chavez (Pachuca), Edson Alvarez (Ajax), Orbelin Pineda (AEK Athens), Luis Romo (Monterrey)
Forwards: Alexis Vega (Guadalajara), Hirving Lozano (Napoli), Raul Jimenez (Wolves), Roberto Alvarado (Guadalajara), Uriel Antuna (Cruz Azul), Henry Martin (Club America), Rogelio Funes Mori (Monterrey).
Team insights
Probably formation: 4-1-4-1 Mexico have not been prolific in front of goal, despite head coach Gerardo Martino employing a midfield quartet that presses high up the pitch behind a lone striker. An orthodox back four is usually protected by a holding midfielder who will link with the five players in front of him to form something more like a fluid 4-3-3 when in possession. Mexico's final line-up and formation might depend on the availability and fitness of Raul Jiminez, whose injury woes have kept him off the pitch for long periods at Wolves recently. Hirving Lozano caught the eye in Russia in 2018 and should be equally influential in Qatar, while Luis Romo and Hector Herrera are likely to pull the creative strings in front of Edson Alvarez, who should provide the protective playmaker link between the back four and the players in front of him.
World Cup prospects
Mexico have progressed beyond the group stage in each of the last seven World Cups, only to fall at the next hurdle, and they have not reached the quarter-final since hosting the tournament in 1986. It is not easy to make a case for them bucking that trend in Qatar, and while they should beat Saudi Arabia, they will do well to leave either Argentina or Poland behind them to reach the knock-out phase. Best hope: A shoe-in for a last-16 exit - surely!!
Read more about each of Mexico's Group C opponents: