With the World Cup just more than 330 days away, GOAL looks at how the Mexico squad might look next summer
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Javier Aguirre has led Mexico through a remarkable first half of 2025, guiding El Tri to a Gold Cup triumph on Sunday and lifting their first CONCACAF Nations League title back in March. But with the World Cup now less than a year away, the hard work is only beginning.
When Aguirre took charge, the national team was mired in uncertainty. Jaime Lozano had come up short in last year’s Nations League, Marcelo Bielsa declined an offer to take over, and Juan Carlos Rodríguez stepped down as president of the Mexican Football Federation, leaving behind a trail of instability just years before the sport’s biggest stage.
Fast forward a few months, and much of that doubt has dissipated – or at least quieted – thanks to the two trophies Aguirre has delivered.
Now comes a different kind of pressure. With no more official matches left before the World Cup, the upcoming friendlies – starting in September against Japan and South Korea – will be crucial for “El Vasco” as he fine-tunes the 23-man squad he’ll take to the tournament.
So who could be in the 2025 World Cup squad? Which players are on the outside looking in? GOAL takes a look
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GOAL's Picks: Luis Ángel Malagón, Raúl Rangel, and Guillermo Ochoa
In the Mix: Alex Padilla, Carlos Moreno, and Carlos Acevedo
Surprisingly, questions remain about Mexico’s goalkeeping situation following Luis Ángel Malagón’s performance at the Gold Cup. The Club América goalkeeper didn’t have a poor tournament, but appeared shaky in some of his decision-making, drawing mixed reactions from pundits. Rumors also emerged that Malagón may not be Javier Aguirre’s favorite option, though those reports remain unconfirmed.
Malagón is still a lock for the 2026 World Cup squad if he continues performing well at the club level, but his starting spot is no longer guaranteed. Aguirre will want the best option between the posts for the opening match, and right now, Malagón hasn't fully secured that role.
The three goalkeepers who featured at the Gold Cup are unlikely to be left out of the final squad. Raúl Rangel has impressed with Chivas, while Guillermo Ochoa continues to offer leadership and experience – clearly demonstrated when he lifted the Gold Cup trophy during the celebrations. The veteran is also aiming to break the record for most World Cup appearances, hoping to be called into his sixth tournament.
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GOAL's Picks: Mateo Chávez, Jesús Gallardo, César Montes, Johan Vásquez, Israel Reyes, Jorge Sánchez, and Rodrigo Huescas
In the Mix: Julián Araujo, Kevin Álvarez, Jesús Orozco, Ramón Juárez, Hugo Camberos, Diego Campillo, Emilio Lara
It’s unlikely there will be major changes in defense ahead of the World Cup. Those with the most secure spots are the ones playing in Europe, while in Liga MX there’s a promising group of young talents – but the gap between them and the established names remains significant.
At center back, things seem fairly settled for the opening match: César Montes and Johan Vásquez are expected to lead the back line. During the Gold Cup, Aguirre rotated heavily at fullback. Mateo Chávez – one of the tournament’s biggest revelations – shared minutes with Jesús Gallardo on the left, while Julián Araujo and Jorge Sánchez split time on the right.
What remains unclear is how Aguirre plans to reintegrate Rodrigo Huescas in upcoming call-ups. The defender was left out of the Gold Cup squad following legal issues in Denmark, and his return will depend on how those matters unfold.
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GOAL's Picks: Edson Álvarez, Gilberto Mora, Marcel Ruiz, Orbelín Pineda, Erik Lira, Carlos Rodríguez, César Huerta, Alexis Vega
In the Mix: Álvaro Fidalgo, Luis Chávez, Luis Romo, Erick Sánchez, Jesús Angulo
Luis Chávez’s ACL injury during the Gold Cup raises some questions. The Dynamo Moscow midfielder had been rumored to make a move during the summer window, but the injury put everything on hold. Now the question is whether he’ll return in time – and in form – for the World Cup.
Luckily for Mexico, two new stars emerged at the Gold Cup, both previously off the radar: Marcel Ruiz and Gilberto Mora – the latter just 16 years old. Javier Aguirre showed a clear preference for a midfield trio, often using the remaining midfielders in more advanced roles, such as Orbelín Pineda, César Huerta, and Alexis Vega.
The midfield that started the Gold Cup final against the United States – Ruiz, Edson, and Mora – should be the same one that kicks off the World Cup. That said, other highly capable players like Charly Rodríguez and Erik Lira could easily break into Aguirre’s starting XI when the tournament kicks off.
And then there’s the high-profile case of Álvaro Fidalgo, the Spanish-born Club América midfielder, who will be eligible to play for Mexico starting in 2026. Fans have been calling for his inclusion, but after what Ruiz and Mora showed at the Gold Cup, Fidalgo may fade from the conversation – for now. Still, expect his name to resurface strongly come January.
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GOAL's Predictions: Raúl Jiménez, Santiago Giménez, Roberto Alvarado, Julián Quiñones, Hirving Lozano
In the Mix: Ángel Sepúlveda, Efraín Álvarez, Henry Martín, Guillermo Martínez, Diego Lainez
Raúl Jiménez cemented his status as the face of Mexican football at this Gold Cup – as long as he maintains his fitness and form. Next summer, he’ll likely start in what will be his fourth World Cup – where he’ll be aiming to score his first-ever goal on the sport’s biggest stage.
Jiménez has never arrived at a World Cup in peak form, for various reasons, but he’s hopeful that 2026 will finally be his moment – especially playing in front of home fans and during one of the best spells of his career.
Up front, only one or two spots might realistically change before the final squad announcement. Surprises are unlikely. Jiménez, Giménez, and Alvarado appear locked in. Julián Quiñones is also expected to make the cut if he maintains his form in Saudi Arabia, though he didn’t feature in either the final or the semifinal against Honduras. That has sparked talk of a possible fallout with Aguirre. We’ll learn more in future call-ups, but for now, based on club form, the Colombian-born forward’s inclusion in the final list is probable.
Hirving Lozano, meanwhile, seems to be regaining his form during his new chapter in MLS. The winger missed the Gold Cup due to injury, but “Chucky” is expected to do everything in his power – literally – to prove himself to Aguirre during this final stretch before the tournament.
