Mexico announces alternative team for South American tour

Mexico has named an alternate team to face the friendlies to be played against Internacional de Porto Alegre and River Plate in South America. When Liga MX started their season, many clubs did not release players and coach Javier Aguirre had a lot of problems getting a roster for non-FIFA friendlies. Mexico play Internacional on January 16 in Porto Alegre and then close their tour against River Plate on January 21.

The call list was as follows:

Goalkeepers: Raul Rangel (Chivas), Andres Sanchez (San Luis), Fernando Tapia (Tigres)

Defenders: Jesus Gallardo (Toluca), Jesus Orozco (Chivas), Ramon Juarez (America), Victor Guzman (Monterrey), Jesus Alberto Angulo (Tigres), Eduardo Aguila (San Luis), Jose Castillo (Chivas)

Midfielders: Luis Romo (Cruz Azul), Elias Montiel (Pachuca), Gilberto Mora (Tijuana), Pedro Pedraza (Pachuca), Jeremy Marquez (Atlas), Erik Lira (Cruz Azul), Jorge Ruvalcaba (Pumas), Jose Ramirez (Leon) , Rivaldo Lozano (Atlas).

Extenders: Guillermo Martinez (Pumas), Efrain Alvarez (Tijuana), Santiago Muñoz (Santos), Raymundo Fulgencio (Tigres)

On Saturday, it was announced that Luis Romo and Jesus Orozco would not be making the trip. Both players are in the middle of a trade between sides and negotiations are currently taking place. Also out of the squad would be Jesus Alberto Angulo for personal reasons. In their place, Roberto Meraz and Gustavo Sanchez (both Mazatlan FC) were called up for the tour.

Mexico will first play Internacional de Porto Alegre before traveling to Buenos Aires to face River Plate. With the number of problems and the very alternative squad (pointing towards and almost C squad) Mexico will have a lot of work to do and it is incredibly worrying how Mexico continues to have problems just before the very important World Cup 2026, that they will co-host.