The announcement comes after a turbulent week marked by frustration over the call-up of Liga MX players, who were unable to play in the Liguilla or the second leg of the CONCACAF Champions Cup semi-finals. From this group, 26 players will be selected to represent Mexico at the World Cup.
Major Omissions
Hirving Lozano became a legend for Mexican fans in 2018, thanks to his goal that secured Mexico's victory over Germany in El Tri's World Cup opener in Russia. Eight years later, now 30, Chucky has been pushed aside by MLS side San Diego FC, and he misses out on the chance to play in his third World Cup after Mexico boss Javier Aguirre told him he'd only be called up if he'd played enough.
Like Chucky, Rodrigo Huescas is also absent from the squad after a challenging season. The former Cruz Azul right-back chose to focus on his personal development by forcing a move to FC Copenhagen. Despite a promising start and some strong performances, a knee injury sidelined him, and he was never able to regain his form.
Another notable omission is that of Diego Campillo. The Guadalajara centre-back is enjoying an excellent run of form and has been a key player in the team's strong campaign this season. Nevertheless, Javier Aguirre and his coaching staff feel the Chivas defender is not yet ready to represent El Tri at a World Cup. Rebanho Sagrado is the club with the most players called up, contributing eight to the squad.
Mexico's full 55-man preliminary squad
Goalkeepers: Alex Padilla (Athletic Club), Antonio Rodríguez (Tijuana), Carlos Acevedo (Santos Laguna), Carlos Moreno (Pachuca), Guillermo Ochoa (AEL Limassol), Raúl 'Tala' Rangel (Chivas)
Defenders: Bryan González (Chivas), César Montes (Lokomotiv Moscow), Edson Álvarez (Fenerbahçe), Eduardo Águila (Atlético de San), Luis Everardo López (Toluca), Israel Reyes (Club América), Jesús Angulo (Tigres), Jesús Gallardo (Toluca), Jesús Gómez (Tijuana), Johan Vásquez (Genoa), Jorge Sánchez (PAOK), Julián Araujo (Celtic), Luis Rey (Puebla), Mateo Chávez (AZ), Ramón Juárez (América), Raúl Rangel (Chivas), Richard Ledezma (Chivas), Víctor Guzmán (Rayados)
Midfielders: Alexei Domínguez (Pachuca), Alexis Gutiérrez (Club América), Álvaro Fidalgo (Real Betis), Brian Gutiérrez (Chivas), Carlos Rodríguez (Cruz Azul), Denzell García (FC Juárez), Diego Lainez (Tigres), Efraín Álvarez (Chivas), Elías Montiel (Pachuca), Erick Sánchez (Club América), Erik Lira (Cruz Azul), Gilberto Mora (Tijuana), Isaías Violante (Club América), Jeremy Márquez (Cruz Azul), Jordan Carrillo (Pumas), Jorge Ruvalcaba (New York Red Bulls), Kevin Castañeda (Tijuana), Luis Chávez (Dynamo Moscow), Luis Romo (Chivas), Marcel Ruiz (Toluca), Obed Vargas (Atlético Madrid), Orbelín Pineda (AEK Athens), Ricardo Angulo (Toluca)
Forwards: Alexis Vega (Toluca), Armando 'Hormiga' González (Chivas), César 'Chino' Huerta (Anderlecht), Germán Berterame (Inter Miami), Guillermo Martínez (Pumas), Julián Quiñones (Al-Qadisiyah), Raúl Jiménez (Fulham), Roberto Alvarado (Chivas), Santiago Gimenez (AC Milan)
