The Mexico men's national team have released their preliminary 31-man roster for the 2022 World Cup, including currently injured stars Raul Jimenez and Jesus "Tecatito" Corona, while officially excluding Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez.
Announced by the Mexican Football Federation (FMF) ahead of two final World Cup tune-ups against Iraq on Nov. 9 and Sweden on Nov. 16, both to be held in Spain at Girona's Estadi Montilivi, the preliminary list contains familiar standouts such as Guillermo Ochoa, Hirving Lozano, Edson Alvarez, Andres Guardado, Jimenez and Corona.
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The 31 players will be in the running for next month's final 26-man roster for Qatar 2022, meaning that Hernandez and others not included won't be going to the World Cup.
Mexico manager Gerardo "Tata" Martino hinted at Hernandez's absence during a media day last month, noting that he's "decided to go with other forwards" in the place of the LA Galaxy striker. Although Hernandez is El Tri's all-time leading goalscorer, the 34-year-old hasn't featured for Mexico since 2019.
Whether injured players like Wolves' Jimenez and Sevilla's Corona will go to the World Cup, remains up in the air. Despite being invaluable players for Martino, the two have suffered injuries that could leave them out of the final list.
Jimenez is currently recovering from a recent groin injury that has left him without club minutes since August. Corona fractured his fibula and damaged his left ankle in the same month, leaving him with slim chances to play in Qatar.
Mexico's final list must be submitted to FIFA no later than Nov. 14. At the World Cup, they'll go up against Poland (Nov. 22), Saudi Arabia (Nov. 26), and Argentina (Nov. 30) in the group stage.
Mexico's 31-man preliminary World Cup roster
Goalkeepers: Rodolfo Cota, Guillermo Ochoa, Alfredo Talavera
Defenders: Kevin Alvarez, Jesus Angulo, Nestor Araujo, Gerardo Arteaga, Jesus Gallardo, Hector Moreno, Cesar Montes, Jorge Sanchez, Johan Vasquez
Midfielders: Edson Alvarez, Roberto Alvarado, Uriel Antuna, Luis Chavez, Andres Guardado, Erick Gutierrez, Hector Herrera, Diego Lainez, Orbelin Pineda, Carlos Rodriguez, Luis Romo, Erick Sanchez, Jesus Corona, Hirving Lozano
Forwards: Rogelio Funes Mori, Santiago Gimenez, Raul Jimenez, Henry Martin, Alexis Vega