Mexico's World Cup Squad 2022: Is Ochoa playing in this World Cup?

Mexico's World Cup Squad 2022: Is Ochoa playing in this World Cup?

Ciku Njuguna
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:17 PM

Despite having more than ten CONCACAF Gold Cup trophies, one Confederations Cup, one Olympic gold medal, and four Pan-American wins, the World Cup trophy has eluded El Tri since 1930. As one of the best national football teams, does Mexico have a chance of winning the 2022 World Cup? Dig in here to discover more about Mexico's World Cup squad.

Has Mexico ever won the World Cup in soccer?
Mexico's squad poses before the international friendly match against Iraq at the Montilivi stadium in Girona in November 2022. Photo by Josep Lago/AFP.
Source: Getty Images

Is Mexico's national football team any good? With a top 20 FIFA ranking and 1644.89 total points, it is evident that Mexico does have good soccer players. Read on to learn more about El Tri's best soccer stars who received the ultimate call-up to the World Cup.

Is Ochoa playing in this World Cup?

Rumours of Ochoa's retirement have been proven untrue by Tata's announcement, confirming his appearance in the squad list. Undoubtedly, as one of the best goalies in soccer, Ochoa also has the most appearances in the global tournament. Speaking to the media, the netminder who will be appearing for his fifth and final World Cup tournament said,

“I have the illusion of playing in another World Cup. I am in a good age to play. I am working hard to be in top-shape for Qatar 2022. It is always an honor to represent your country. Right now we have a young squad, with experienced players, it is the perfect combination."

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Mexico's 2022 World Cup squad list

The changes on Mexico's roster for the 2022 World Cup included a reduction from the 31-man preliminary squad to a 26-man team. The final announcement of Mexico's World Cup squad by El Tri's head coach, Gerardo 'Tata' Martino, came on the 14th of November. Here is a detailed summary of Mexico's 2022 World Cup squad's names, numbers, and positions.

What year did Mexico get banned from the World Cup?
Mexico's Uriel Antuna fights for the ball with Miguel Lemus during a CONCACAF match against El Salvador at Azteca Stadium in March 2022, in Mexico City. Photo by Mauricio Salas/Jam Media.
Source: Getty Images

Number

Player

Team

Position

12

Rodolfo Cota

Club Leon FC

Goalkeeper

13

Guillermo Ochoa

CF America

Goalkeeper

1

Alfredo Talavera

FC Juarez

Goalkeeper

3

César Montes

CF Monterrey

Centre-back

5

Johan Vásquez

US Cremonese

Centre-back

2

Néstor Araújo

CF America

Centre-back

15

Héctor Moreno

CF Monterrey

Centre-back

6

Gerardo Arteaga

KRC Genk

Left-back

23

Jesús Gallardo

CF Monterrey

Left-back

19

Jorge Sánchez

Ajax Amsterdam

Right-back

26

Kevin Álvarez

CF Pachuca

Right-back

4

Edson Álvarez

Ajax Amsterdam

Defensive midfield

24

Luis Chávez

CF Pachuca

Defensive midfield

8

Carlos Rodríguez

CD Cruz Azul

Central midfield

14

Érick Gutiérrez

PSV Eindhoven

Central midfield

7

Luis Romo

CF Monterrey

Central midfield

17

Orbelín Pineda

AEK Athens

Central midfield

16

Héctor Herrera

Houston Dynamo FC

Central midfield

18

Andrés Guardado

Real Betis Balompié

Central midfield

10

Alexis Vega

Deportivo Guadalajara

Left winger

22

Hirving Lozano

SSC Napoli

Right winger

25

Roberto Alvarado

Deportivo Guadalajara

Right winger

21

Uriel Antuna

CD Cruz Azul

Right winger

9

Raúl Jiménez

Wolverhampton Wanderers

Centre-forward

20

Henry Martín

CF America

Centre-forward

11

Rogelio Funes Mori

CF Monterrey

Centre-forward

Who will be Mexico's football team captain in World Cup 2022?

Andrés Guardado, Real Betis Balompié's midfielder, is participating in his fifth World Cup tournament. Regarded as one of the best soccer players for Mexico in 2022, the Mexican skipper confirmed his plans to retire after the Qatar tournaments. In an interview with Star+, the soccer veteran revealed that,

"I am convinced that the last match I play in this World Cup will be my last match in the national team. That’s where my road in team comes to an end.”

Who is Mexico's national football team coach?

Gerardo "Tata" Martino was appointed to head the El Tri on the 7th of January 2019. Previously, he had managed the Argentinian national football team and several clubs such as Atlanta United FC, FC Barcelona, CA Newell's Old Boys, Club Cerro Porteño, and Club Libertad Asunción.

What is the predicted line-up for Mexico for the 2022 World Cup?

Despite embarrassing losses to Columbia and the USA recently, excitement has filled the Mexican air, with over 40,000 fans said to have arrived in Qatar. A report by ESPN predicted that the following stars would appear in Tata's starting XI.

Player

Position

Guillermo Ochoa

Goalkeeper

Jesus Gallardo

Left-back

Hector Moreno

Centre-back

Cesar Montes

Centre-back

Jorge Sanchez

Right-back

Andres Guardado

Central midfield

Edson Alvarez

Defensive midfield

Hector Herrera

Central midfield

Hirving Lozano

Right winger

Uriel Antuna

Right winger

Raul Jimenez

Centre-forward

What Mexican players are not going to the World Cup?

Sevilla's Jesus “Tecatito” Corona is one of Mexico's players who will miss the 2022 World Cup due to injuries. In addition, Mexico’s all-time leading scorer, Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez, who appeared in three tournaments, is not going to the 2022 World Cup. While announcing the final line-up, head coach Tata stated that he had chosen to go with other forwards instead of Hernandez.

How many World Cups has Mexico qualified for?
Jesus Gallardo (r) battles for the ball during a CONCACAF match between Mexico and El Salvador at Azteca Stadium in March 2022, in Mexico City. Photo by Mauricio Salas/Jam Media.
Source: Getty Images

Is Diego Lainez playing in the 2022 World Cup?

Although Lainez's talent has been compared to Messi on various occasions, he is one of the teams' players missing the 2022 World Cup. After the final squad list was released, Lainez stormed out of the Mexican training camp at Girona without anyone's knowledge.

Who are the best players on Mexico's national football team?

How many times has Mexico been to the World Cup? Mexico's national football team has qualified for 16 times since the inaugural World Cup tournament in 1930, with the 2022 Qatar games being their eighth consecutive entry. Click on the link above to explore more about the Mexican soccer stars, their history, players, management, stats and achievements.

The team that has consistently had some of the best football players in the world hopes to outdo their 1970 and 1986 quarterfinal performances. Here is a summary of some players to look out for in Mexico's squad for the 2022 World Cup.

Player

Number

Position

Guillermo Ochoa

13

Goalkeeper

Edson Álvarez

4

Defensive midfield

Hirving Lozano

22

Right winger

Raúl Jiménez

9

Centre forward

Andrés Guardado

18

Central midfield

Mexico's World Cup squad selection has drawn widespread controversy and reactions among players and fans alike. However, the historic eighth consecutive entry of El Tri still motivated the players' winning spirit. Will Mexico triumph at last? We wait to see!

READ ALSO: France's World Cup 2022 squad: Who was left out of the France World Cup squad?

Sportsbrief.com recently published an article about France's World Cup 2022 squad. The star-studded roster is confident they will bring home the world's most coveted silver for the third time.

Learn more about the complete squad list for Les Blues' 2022 World Cup campaign. Find out who was sidelined from the team and why, by clicking on the link above.

Authors
Ciku Njuguna photo
Ciku Njuguna
Ciku Njuguna is a journalist with 3 year’s experience in content creation based in Kenya. She currently covers sports personnel as well as team biographies.