2022 FIFA World Cup Team Previews: Mexico
The 2022 FIFA World Cup is less than a month away from kicking off in Qatar. Over the next 32 days, I will be previewing each team that will be taking part in the world’s most-watched event. Check out all of the team previews that have been done so far. Up next is Mexico.
After spending the better part of the last decade as the powerhouse team in North America, but now the golden generation of Mexico is nearing an end. That was made clear in 2021 when “El Tri” lost all three of their meetings with the United States. They finished second in the CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying group behind surprise up-and-comers Canada. Mexico has lost two of their last three matches and with upcoming friendlies against Iraq and Sweden, “El Tri” will be looking to get back to winning ways before the 2022 World Cup.
World Cup Appearances
Mexico is one of the teams with the most World Cup appearances with the 2022 World Cup being their 17th. It will also be the eighth straight World Cup for Mexico since being banned from the 1990 World Cup for using over-age players in a youth tournament. Mexico is also one of five countries to have hosted multiple World Cups, first in 1970 and then again in 1986.
Best Finish at a World Cup
“El Tri” has been a regular in the Round of 16, having made it to that stage in each of the last seven World Cups. However, they fizzled out of the tournament at that stage in all of those. The best finish at a World Cup for Mexico was reaching the quarterfinals. At both World Cups in Mexico, “El Tri” went out in the quarterfinals losing 4-1 to Italy in 1970 and West Germany on penalties in 1986.
Key players
For the past two World Cups, one of the most exciting players to watch has been Mexican goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa. At 37 years old, this could be the final World Cup for Ochoa who will be going to his fifth for Mexico.
Along with Ochoa, this will probably be the last World Cup for 36-year-old Andrés Guardado who will become Mexico’s single most-capped player with one more match. He is currently tied with Claudio Suárez on 177 caps but will pass Suárez when Mexico opens up its 2022 World Cup campaign.
A notable absence from “El Tri” is Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez. Mexico’s all-time leading goalscorer with 52 goals has re-found his form playing for LAFC, but will not be going to Qatar, according to manager Tata Martino. This means that Mexico will be relying on Raúl Jiménez and Hirving Lozano to get Mexico on the scoreboard.
Manager
Martino became the manager of Mexico in 2019 and has had success with the team, notably winning the 2019 Gold Cup. Mexico is the third national team that Martino has managed with the Argentine having managed Paraguay from 2007 to 2011 and Argentina from 2014 to 2016. He has also managed at clubs around the world including Barcelona, boyhood club Newell’s Old Boys, and Atlanta United.
Biggest Group Game – vs. Poland on Nov. 22
In a group led by Argentina, it is a battle for second place between Mexico and Poland. It just so happens that the two will be playing each other to open Group C action. A win for both teams will put them as the frontrunner to advance to the Round of 16. If a draw happens between the two, it will likely come down to the goal difference unless Mexico or Poland can get a positive result against Argentina, since both should beat Saudi Arabia.
Prediction
Mexico will get a win against Poland with Ochoa making some clutch saves against Robert Lewandowski and finish second in Group C behind Argentina. Advancing to the eighth straight Round of 16 for “El Tri” the 2022 FIFA World Cup will end in that round once again as they would play Group D winners which should be France. It will take a heroic performance for Mexico to get past the reigning World Cup champions and they just do not have the depth that France possesses.
***
Check out the Vendetta Twitch!!
SUBSCRIBE to the Vendetta YouTube!!
