The Mexican national team, known as El Tri, has announced its 27-man Mexican Soccer Squad for the highly anticipated CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinal matches against Honduras. The first leg is set to take place in Honduras on November 15th, followed by the return match on November 19th at the Estadio Nemesio Díez in Toluca. This location change is due to ongoing renovations at the iconic Estadio Azteca in preparation for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
This mexican soccer squad announcement from manager Javier Aguirre brings with it notable inclusions and signals key strategic decisions as Mexico aims to progress in the Nations League. Two names immediately jump out from the roster: Julián Quiñones and Luis Chávez. Quiñones, who is making a strong impression in Saudi Arabian football, currently playing for Al-Qadasiya, has been in impressive form, netting eight goals in nine appearances across all competitions. His return to the national setup adds firepower to the attacking options. Luis Chávez, a consistent performer for El Tri, especially since the last World Cup, was surprisingly absent from the recent friendly matches against Valencia and the USMNT. However, the Dynamo Moscow midfielder is back in the fold, ready to compete for a crucial role in Aguirre’s midfield plans.
A significant storyline emerging from this mexican soccer squad selection is the strong influence of Cruz Azul. Their dominant performance in the Liga MX Apertura 2024 season has clearly caught the national team’s attention, with every Mexican starter from Martín Anselmi’s Cruz Azul side being called up to El Tri. While Jorge Sánchez, Charly Rodríguez, Erik Lira, and Luis Romo have been regular faces in recent national team squads, the inclusion of Alexis Gutiérrez and Ángel Sepúlveda marks a fresh chapter for both players on the international stage.
Alexis Gutiérrez’s journey is particularly noteworthy. Less than two years ago, he was competing in Mexico’s second division. Now, he’s a linchpin for the Liga MX league leaders, Cruz Azul, and is set to receive his first opportunity to represent the senior mexican soccer squad. Ángel Sepúlveda, a seasoned Liga MX player who has played for various mid-table clubs, has found a rich vein of form at Cruz Azul. He currently leads the Liga MX scoring charts among Mexican players and earns a return to El Tri after a seven-year absence.
However, the mexican soccer squad announcement also notes the absence of key attacking players Hirving Lozano and Santiago Giménez. Both are sidelined due to ongoing injury concerns and will have to postpone their El Tri returns until 2025.
Here is the complete mexican soccer squad list for Mexico’s crucial Nations League encounters against Honduras:
Goalkeepers
- Ángel Malagón (Club América)
- Guillermo Ochoa (AVS Futebol SAD)
- Raúl Rangel (Chivas)
Defenders
- César Montes (FC Lokomotiv)
- Johan Vázquez (Genoa)
- Rodrigo Huescas (FC Copenhagen)
- Israel Reyes (Club América)
- Jorge Sánchez (Cruz Azul)
- Jesús Orozco (Chivas)
- Jesús Angulo (Tigres)
- Jesús Gallardo (Toluca)
Midfielders
- Edson Álvarez (West Ham)
- Luis Romo (Cruz Azul)
- Charly Rodríguez (Cruz Azul)
- Erik Lira (Cruz Azul)
- Luis Chávez (FC Dynamo Moscow)
- Orbelín Pineda (AEK Athens)
- Alexis Gutiérrez (Cruz Azul)
Forwards
- Raúl Jiménez (Fulham)
- Guillermo Martínez (Pumas)
- Henry Martín (Club América)
- Ángel Sepúlveda (Cruz Azul)
- Ozziel Herrera (Tigres)
- Diego Lainez (Tigres)
- Alexis Vega (Toluca)
- César Huerta (Pumas)
- Julián Quiñones (Al-Qadasiya)
