Mexico announce squad for Portugal and Belgium friendlies

Mexico City – Javier Aguirre has unveiled a 26-man roster for El Tri’s final March friendlies before the pre-World Cup training camp, yet the list is as notable for who is missing as for who is included. A spate of injuries has ruled out midfield anchor Edson Álvarez, versatile Luis Romo, right-back Julián Araujo, winger César Huerta, striker Santiago Giménez and goalkeeper Luis Malagón, while Marcel Ruiz and Rodrigo Huescas appear certain to miss this summer’s tournament altogether. Luis Chávez and Santiago Giménez are nearing fitness but were withheld after club-and-country medical staff agreed they remain short of international readiness.

Standing in for the absentees are a handful of fresh or returning faces. Spanish-born playmaker Álvaro Fidalgo will pull on the green shirt for the first time after completing FIFA’s five-year residency requirement and filing a one-time switch from Spain last month; the 25-year-old Betis midfielder is expected to compete for minutes created by Ruiz’s long-term absence. Veteran goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa, currently starting for AEL Limassol, is back in the fold as Malagón’s replacement and continues his quest for a record sixth World Cup appearance. Home-grown youngsters such as Atletico Madrid’s Obed Vargas and Chivas winger Armando González have also been summoned to broaden Aguirre’s options.

The squad will convene ahead of two stern examinations. On 28 March, Mexico welcome Portugal to Estadio Banorte—formerly Estadio Azteca—in what will be El Tri’s sternest test since Aguirre returned to the bench. Three days later they travel to Soldier Field in Chicago to meet Belgium, rounding out a double-header that pits Mexico against two sides widely tipped to make deep runs at the World Cup. With Liga MX players not due to report to national-team camp until 6 May, these fixtures represent the last opportunity for Aguirre to evaluate Europe-based and domestic fringe candidates before narrowing his selection for the global showpiece.

Mexico squad

Goalkeepers: Raúl Rangel (Chivas), Guillermo Ochoa (AEL Limassol), Carlos Acevedo (Santos Laguna)

Defenders: Johan Vásquez (Genoa), César Montes (Lokomotiv Moscow), Jorge Sánchez (PAOK), Jesús Gallardo (Toluca), Israel Reyes (América), Richard Ledezma (Chivas), Everardo López (Toluca), Jesús Alberto Angulo (Tigres)

Midfielders: Álvaro Fidalgo (Betis), Orbelín Pineda (AEK Athens), Obed Vargas (Atlético Madrid), Erik Lira (Cruz Azul), Brian Gutiérrez (Chivas), Denzell García (FC Juárez), Roberto Alvarado (Chivas), Érick Sánchez (América), Carlos Rodríguez (Cruz Azul)

Forwards: Raúl Jiménez (Fulham), Julián Quiñones (Al-Qadsiah), Armando González (Chivas), Germán Berterame (Inter Miami), Guillermo Martínez (Pumas), Alexis Vega (Toluca)