Mexican National Team Faces Departures of Key Players, Potential Absence in 2026 World Cup Looms
Get the Lowdown on Mexico's 2026 World Cup Squad
Some players once seemed like shoes-ins for the Mexican national team, but their fortunes have waned. Injuries and team performances have left them on the bench, and it seems they're no longer frontrunners for coach Javier Aguirre.
Former contenders like Carlos Acevedo, who once looked destined to replace Guillermo Ochoa, are now out of the picture. Meanwhile, Kevin Álvarez and Alan Mozo have moved away from the right-back spot for the Tricolor, while others like Diego Lainez, Jorge Ruvalcaba, Sebastián Córdova, Erick Sánchez, and Fernando Beltrán struggle to maintain their form.
Young hopefuls like José Castillo, Obed Vargas, Omar Campos, and Marcelo Flores might be more about a lack of maturity than an outright snub from the national team.
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Who's Stepping Up for the 2026 World Cup?
The Mexican national team is gearing up for the co-hosted 2026 World Cup, and the squad is shaping up to be a mix of seasoned veterans and fresh-faced newcomers. As host nations, Mexico, the United States, and Canada automatically qualified, so they won't need to battle it out in qualification matches.[1][2]
Key candidates for the Mexican squad include Raúl Jiménez, a vital player who's regained his scoring touch, and Santiago Giménez, an emerging star playing for AC Milan. Together, they could form a dangerous strike partnership.[3]
With a mix of established players like Jiménez and rising talents such as Santiago Giménez, some players have found themselves on the sidelines. As Mexico undergoes a team transformation, veterans may have lost their place due to varying reasons, such as form, fitness, or the coach's strategic decisions.[4]
So, while some players once stood at the forefront, the Mexican national team is continuing its evolution, seeking to build a formidable squad for the World Cup. Stay tuned as the team finalizes its roster and prepares to put on a show at home.
[1] Mexico Secures Automatic Qualification for the 2026 World Cup (Source)[2] FIFA Announces Co-Hosts for the 2026 World Cup (Source)[3] Prospective Strike Partnership for Mexico's 2026 World Cup (Source)[4] Tactical Shifts and Player Selection Changes in Mexico's National Team (Source)[5] Emerging Talents and Established Mainstays for Mexico's 2026 World Cup Campaign (Source)
Sports news regarding the 2026 World Cup squad reveals that while some players like Carlos Acevedo, Kevin Álvarez, Alan Mozo, Diego Lainez, Jorge Ruvalcaba, Sebastián Córdova, Erick Sánchez, and Fernando Beltrán have struggled to maintain their form, newcomers like José Castillo, Obed Vargas, Omar Campos, and Marcelo Flores might prove to be promising additions. Although Raúl Jiménez and Santiago Giménez are considered key candidates for the Mexican squad, there's ongoing speculation about why some players have found themselves on the sidelines as the team undergoes a transformation in preparation for the tournament.
