Mexico never goes into a FIFA World Cup without believing they can win it, but at Qatar 2022, their first priority is to break a 36-year drought of quarterfinal appearances. In the 1986 tournament they hosted, they defeated Bulgaria to earn their last Round of 16 victory.
Mexico, one of the most reliable teams in World Cup events, has made it out of the group stage in seven straight tournaments, starting with the USA in 1994 and ending with Russia in 2018. As one of their finest results at the Mundial, The El Tri (Nickname for Mexico) also advanced to two quarterfinals in tournaments they hosted in 1970 and 1986.
Despite being the most dominant football team in North America and having won eleven CONCACAF championships, they have failed to advance past the round of 16 at the FIFA World Cup seven times in a row.
The pride the Mexicans would show in Qatar is that, as has always been their trademark, they would give everything they had to get out of the group stage, and any team in their group C—Argentina, Saudi Arabia, or Poland—would have only themselves to blame if they underestimated the El Tri.
Behind Sweden, Mexico came in second place at the 2018 FIFA World Cup. The last of those losses occurred in Russia in 2018 at the hands of Brazil, ending a season that had kicked off in the best conceivable way with a win against the reigning champions, Germany.
Mexico had numerous challenges on its approach to Qatar, making the trip difficult. Even though surprise package Canada won the Octagonal, Gerardo Martino's team received a lot of backlash for their performance, results, and the absence of some key players.
El Tri will face a tough test at Qatar 2022 as Argentina, Saudi Arabia, and Poland will be their first opponents in their quest to advance past the Round of 16. After a campaign full of ups and downs and with a sizable portion of the Mexican football media continuing to question their Argentinian coach, El Tri faces a campaign full of ups and downs.
With its veteran warhorses like Guillermo Ochoa and Andres Guardado, as well as stars like Hector Herrera and Hirving Lozano, among others who are capable of performing stunts, Mexico still possesses the power to surprise any of the group's competitors.
Martino will line up with his standard 4-3-3 formation including several well-known stars, including the following mainstays, in an effort to overcome that obstacle and make history.
Guillermo Ochoa
Position: Goalkeeper
Age: 37
No matter how well or poorly he has performed at the club level, Ochoa, an icon of Mexico and the World Cup, has consistently delivered for his nation on the international stage. He continues to be a solid performer and a strong last line of defence, and a long-term replacement has yet to develop. His many saves over the years, including one that ranks right up there with Gordon Banks' spectacular stop of Pele at Mexico in 1970, have gone down in tournament history.
Ochoa, who is unquestionably his nation's top pick, will compete in his sixth global final in Qatar in 2022. The goalkeeper is about to make another return to European football with Mexican club America. Ochoa, who stands out in goal because to his unique curls, has been a reassuring presence for El Tri over the past ten years and the torment of many opposing forwards thanks to his quick reflexes.
Andres Guardado
Position: Midfielder
Age: 35
Along with Ochoa, another Mexican leader and decision-maker in the locker room. Guardado is competing in his fifth World Cup, matching the national record of Antonio Carbajal, just like the goalkeeper. Since making his global finals debut in 2006 in Germany at the age of 19, when Ricardo La Volpe unexpectedly put him up against Argentina in the Round of 16, and he reacted with an outstanding performance, Guardado has developed into something of a staple at the competition.
The midfielder, who is on pace to surpass Claudio Suarez's appearance record for Mexico, has declared his retirement from international play after Qatar 2022. He plays a significant role in supporting the coach's decisions because of his enormous influence both on and off the field.
The player known as "El Principito" (The Little Prince) has recently experienced some uncertainty at the club level, as Real Betis were unable to sign him at the conclusion of this summer's transfer window due to financial fair play laws.
In the end, everything worked out, and on September 3 against Real Madrid, the Mexican started for Manuel Pellegrini's team before coming off after 71 minutes. Guardado, who first played as a wide man with the ability to skip past opponents, has evolved into a midfield schemer who uses his keen sense of timing, vision, and drive to great artistic effect.
Raul Jimenez
Position: Forward
Age: 31
Jimenez, the primary goal threat for Mexico, rose to the top of the game with his ability to score, but he has failed to regain his prior level of play since breaking his skull in a collision with David Luiz in a November 2020 Premier League encounter against Arsenal. His team, Wolverhampton Wanderers, has been searching for a temporary fix in the transfer market, signing Sasa Kalajdzic then - after the Austrian sustained an injury himself - Diego Costa.
The Wolves still have complete faith in Jimenez despite making those acquisitions. Similar circumstances occurred with Mexico, as Jimenez finished the Qatar 2022 qualification tournament as his team's top scorer despite only scoring three goals. The striker, who forms the spearhead of Martino's front line, will make his third World Cup appearance and his first as a first-choice.
Jimenez, who is virtually unbeatable in the air, competes for every ball and possesses the ball abilities necessary to collaborate well with his teammates. If Mexico were to make up for their recent hesitancy in front of goal, he must be back to his best.
Hirving Lozano
Position: Forward
Age: 27
Lozano, often known by his nickname "Chucky," is a star of a front line that has struggled in the lead-up to Qatar 2022. Tri's prospects haven't exactly improved when winger Jesus Corona suffered a catastrophic leg injury while representing Sevilla, placing even more pressure on Lozano. It is therefore fortunate that the Napoli wide player is at the height of his abilities and possesses the talents and quickness to penetrate even the most formidable defenders.
Lozano is a first-choice player for Mexico, and his ability to escape defense, combined with his intelligence and bravery, makes him one of El Tri's key attacking threats. He is getting ready for his second World Cup, and he is capable of playing on either wing or even down the centre. Martino and Mexico will be counting on him to perform at his peak in Qatar 2022, where his task will be to spur on the nation's offence, which is goal-shy.
Edson Alvarez
Position: Midfielder
Age: 24
Alvarez, a versatile midfielder who has had one of the most spectacular comebacks in Mexican football in recent years, has received high praise from his coach at Ajax, Alfred Schreuder: "He's very significant in my view. While not the captain, he plays the part admirably. He is a true leader, a winner, and he is becoming more proficient at handling the ball. He is skilled in both areas, can play out wide, is a smart defender who cuts out many balls, 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 smart tactical operator, but his all-around abilities have made him a box-to-box operator wanted 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.
Hector Herrera
Position: Midfielder
Age: 32
Hector Herrera, the Mexican team's midfielder, continues to be an important member as they head to Qatar. He currently plays for Houston Dynamo USA and has scored 10 goals in 100 games since 2012 for Mexico.
With his physical strength, as well as the speed and dynamism that a team needs, the former Atletico Madrid star always demonstrates the technicalities of the game as a box-to-box midfielder to control the midfield.
Herrera poses a menace to the opposition since he can stop their advances, pass the ball, and shoot from a long distance to cause chaos to their teams.
Coach
Gerardo Martino
Position: Manager
Age: 59
Former Argentina player and manager Gerardo Martino took over as Mexico's manager in 2019 and led Mexico to CONCACAF Gold Cup victory that same year. Mexico would rely on his expertise in leading clubs and national teams to get out of the group stage and make a significant statement.
He has played in 61 games for Mexico in all, winning 40, losing 10, and drawing 11. Additionally, he is skilled at playing a pressing style of football that keeps opponents on their toes throughout the entire game.
The 59-year-old is well aware in Argentine football, which would be helpful for his Mexican team as they compete in Qatar for ongoing supremacy. Because of Martino's reputation for playing attack-minded, quick passing football, opponents will go above and beyond to check his squad.
