We are almost there. After more than four years of waiting, the World will finally open its doors with this 2022 edition in Qatar. This winter, no less than 32 nations will participate in the tournament to conquer the planet, as the French team did in 2018. Among these nations, Mexico will participate this winter in the 17th World Cup in its history, and hopes to exceed the round of 16, after 7 consecutive editions where the Tricolor stops at this level of the competition.
Qualification: A ticket snatched
Despite being the highest-ranked CONCACAF zone by FIFA (11th), Mexico experienced difficulties and got scared during the qualifying phase for the World Cup in Qatar. Indeed, already qualified for the second round because of its favorable ranking, La Tricolor finished behind Canada and the United States, selections which, incidentally, are gaining momentum as the World Cup approaches. . That said, with 25 points on the clock, Mexico clinched their ticket to Qatar, even avoiding an intercontinental trap trap against New Zealand. And this winter, Gerardo Martino’s team hopes to reach a milestone that it has been struggling to achieve for 28 years now. Indeed, in the last seven consecutive World Cups, Mexico has come out each time in the round of 16. A consistency synonymous with regularity for some, but frustrating results at the gates of the top 8 for others. This winter, Mexico players and fans alike are hoping to end that streak, advancing to the quarter-finals for the first time since 1986.
The Team: A close-knit and talented group!
Like every four years, the Mexican eleven looks great. That said this year, it is above all the offensive potential of the Tricolor which is particularly frightening. Like Raul Jimenez, who came back superbly from his big head injury two seasons ago and who will participate in his third consecutive World Cup. The Wolverhampton striker is a true scorer, respected in the Premier League, and will be his country’s undisputed leader this winter. The Wolf will be surrounded by Hirving Lozano, eternal Mexican talent who has struggled to confirm all the hopes placed in him for a few years now despite good seasons under the colors of Napoli. In the midfield, the eternal Hector Herrera (32 years old, Atletico Madrid) will obviously hold his rank as captain, and Guillermo Ochoa in the cages, will try to recreate the exploits of which he had been the author in 2014 in Brazil in particular. The group is also made up of very talented young players who will bet on a good tournament in Qatar to really launch their careers, like Jonathan Gomez (19 years old, Real Sociedad), Marcelo Flores (18 years old, Real Oviedo) or again Santiago Gimenez (19 years old, Rotterdam).
The group: Two big tests, and a more affordable opponent
In Doha, the march will be high for the Mexicans if they want to get out of their pool. Fallen in group C, La Tricolor will find an opponent against whom it has lost twice recently, namely Argentina. A real pet peeve for the selection which will have to achieve a result against the Albiceleste at all costs. But before that, the Mexico team will have to face another great footballing nation, since they will start their competition against Lewandowski’s Poland on November 22. For its last pool match, Mexico will probably try to play its qualification against the nation at first sight the most affordable of this pool, Saudi Arabia, on November 30th.