MEXICO CITY (AP) — Mexico’s coach Javier Aguirre Sunday was chosen to allow a new generation of players to take advantage of home ground advantage. world cup Seeking redemption for one of El Tri’s worst failures in modern times qatar 2022.
Coach “El Basco” Aguirre led Mexico to its third World Cup appearance, overhauling a team that struggled against Qatar and failed to advance past the first round for the first time since 1978.
He selected 13 players who were not part of the team four years ago. The most intriguing of them all is the 17-year-old midfielder. Gilberto MoraHe could become the youngest Mexican man to compete in the World Cup.
Mexico’s youngest World Cup player was Manuel “Chaquetas” Rosas, who was 18 years and 88 days old when he played in the first World Cup in 1930.
Brazil great Pele is one of seven players to play in a World Cup at the age of 17, the youngest of whom was Northern Ireland’s Norman Whiteside at the 1982 tournament in Spain.
Depending on when Mora makes his World Cup debut (Mexico opens against South Africa on June 11), he will be sixth or seventh on the list of youngest international players for the tournament.
Among the veterans returning after a disappointing game against Qatar in 2022 is goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa, who was selected for his sixth World Cup squad.
Ochoa made his World Cup debut in 2006, but played in just three World Cup games and is currently considered a backup to starting pitcher Raul Rangel.
Mexico is scheduled to face South Africa at the Azteca Stadium, then face South Korea in Guadalajara and conclude the first round against the Czech Republic on June 24.
Mexico, who are unbeaten in seven games, have one more game to play as a prelude to the World Cup, against Serbia.
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Mexico:
Goalkeepers: Raul Rangel, Guillermo Ochoa, Carlos Acevedo.
Defenders: Jesus Gallardo, Johan Vazquez, Israel Reyes, Cesar Montes, Jorge Sanchez, Mateo Chávez.
Midfielders: Edson Alvarez, Eric Lira, Alvaro Fidalgo, Gilberto Mora, Brian Gutierrez, Luis Romo, Orvelin Pineda, Alexis Vega, Obed Vargas, Luis Chavez.
Forwards: Roberto Alvarado, Santiago Jimenez, Raul Jimenez, Julián Quiñones, Armando González, Guillermo Martinez, Cesar Huerta.
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AP Soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-world-cup
