Mexico never shows up to a FIFA World Cup without believing they can win it, but at Qatar 2022, their top priority will be to end a 36-year drought for a quarterfinal spot.
After missing out on Italy in 1990, they have lost seven straight first-round matches since their last Round-of-16 victory over Bulgaria in the 1986 tournament they hosted. The last of those losses occurred in Russia 2018 at the hands of Brazil, ending a season that had started out on the best possible note with a triumph over the reigning champions Germany.
Mexico did not have an easy journey to Qatar, with many an obstacle on the way. Though Gerardo Martino’s side finished second in the Octagonal behind surprise packages Canada, they came in for lots of criticism for their results, performance and the absence of some key personnel.
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Following a campaign full of ups and downs and with a large section of the Mexican football media continuing to question their Argentinian coach, El Tri face quite a test at Qatar 2022, with Argentina, Saudi Arabia and Poland providing their first opponents in their quest to progress beyond the Round of 16.
In bidding to negotiate that hurdle and make history, Martino will line up with his usual 4-3-3 formation and a clutch of well-known names, including the following five mainstays.
Guillermo Ochoa
Position: Goalkeeper
Age: 37
A Mexico and World Cup legend, Ochoa has always delivered for his country on the big stage, regardless of how he has performed at club level. With a long-term replacement yet to emerge, he remains a reliable performer and a formidable last line of defence. Some of the many saves he has made over the years have gone down in tournament history and have been ranked right up there with the miraculous stop Gordon Banks made to deny Pele at Mexico 1970.
His country’s undisputed first choice, Ochoa will be making his fifth world-finals appearance at Qatar 2022. Currently with Mexican club America, the keeper is on the point of making another return to European football. An unmistakable figure between the posts thanks to his trademark curls, Ochoa has been a calming voice of experience for El Tri over the last decade and the bane of many an opposition forward thanks to his quick reflexes.
Andres Guardado
Position: midfielder
Age: 35
Another leader of the Mexican pack and a decision-maker in the dressing room along with Ochoa. Like the keeper, Guardado is appearing at his fifth World Cup, equalling Antonio Carbajal’s national record. Since making his world finals debut at the age of 19 at Germany 2006, where Ricardo La Volpe surprisingly threw him into the Round of 16 against Argentina and he responded with a superb performance, Guardado has become something of a fixture at the tournament.
On course to break Claudio Suarez’s appearances record for Mexico, the midfielder has announced that he will retire from international football after Qatar 2022. A hugely influential figure on and off the pitch, he plays an important role in backing the coach’s decisions.
The player they call ‘El Principito’ (The Little Prince) has been through some uncertain times at club level recently, with financial fair play regulations preventing Real Betis from registering him at the end of this summer’s transfer window. In the end, the situation was resolved, with the Mexican starting for Manuel Pellegrini’s side against Real Madrid on 3 September before being substituted after 71 minutes. Having started out as a wide man with the ability to skip past people, Guardado has become a midfield schemer, using his reading of the game, vision and drive to great creative effect.
Raul Jimenez
Position: Forward
Age: 31
Mexico’s main goal threat, Jimenez earned his place in the elite thanks to his finishing skills, but has struggled to recapture his best form since sustaining a skull fracture in a clash of heads with David Luiz in a November 2020 Premier League match against Arsenal. His club, Wolverhampton Wanderers, have been busy looking for a stopgap solution in the transfer market, bringing in Sasa Kalajdzic and – after the Austrian picked up an injury himself – Diego Costa. Despite making those signings, Wolves still have every faith in Jimenez.
A similar story has played out with Mexico, for whom Jimenez scored just three goals in the qualifying competition for Qatar 2022 but still ended it as his side’s leading marksman. The cutting edge of Martino’s front line, the striker is set to make his third World Cup appearance and his first as a first-choice. Virtually unbeatable in the air, Jimenez fights for every ball and has the ball skills to link up effectively with his team-mates. Mexico will need him to be back to his best if they are to atone for their recent shyness in front of goal.
Hirving Lozano
Position: Forward
Age: 27
Nicknamed ‘Chucky’, Lozano is another star of a front line that has been misfiring in the countdown to Qatar 2022. The serious leg injury sustained by winger Jesus Corona on Sevilla duty have hardly brightened Tri prospects, heaping even more responsibility on to the shoulders of Lozano. Just as well, then, that the Napoli wide man is at the peak of his powers and has the skills and pace to unlock even the tightest defences.
A first choice in the Mexico line-up, Lozano’s ability to get past defenders, coupled with his intuition and courage, makes him one of El Tri’s main attacking threats. Capable of playing on either flank and even down the centre, he is preparing for his second World Cup. Martino and Mexico will be hoping to see him at his best at Qatar 2022, where his job will be to help Mexico’s goal-shy attack to fire.
Edson Alvarez
Position: midfielder
Age: 24
One of the most exciting breakthroughs in Mexican football in recent years, Alvarez is a versatile midfielder who has earned some high praise from Alfred Schreuder, his coach at Ajax: “He’s very important in my eyes. He’s not the captain but he plays like one. He’s a real leader, a winner, and he’s getting better on the ball. He can play out, he’s tactically astute in defence, he cuts out a lot of balls, he’s good in both areas, and he scores goals.”
Alvarez, also known as “The Machine,” has thrived this season in both the Eredivisie and the UEFA Champions League. He will be Mexico’s primary midfield barrier at the World Cup and a savvy tactical operator, but his all-around abilities have made him a box-to-box operator sought after by some of Europe’s top clubs. His tenure in the Netherlands may soon come to an end, especially if he does well in Qatar.
