FIFA World Cup 2022: Mexico Announce 26-Man Squad, Forward Jimenez Included In World Cup Squad

Manager Gerardo Martino also called up 36-year-old Real Betis midfielder Andres Guardado, who will take part in his fifth World Cup.

File photo: June 17, 2018 | Mexico's goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa celebrates their 1-0 victory at the end of the Russia 2018 World Cup Group F football match between Germany and Mexico at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow. ( Image Source :AFP )

Mexico City, Nov 15 (IANS) Wolverhampton Wanderers forward Raul Jimenez has been named in Mexico's squad for the FIFA World Cup in Qatar despite uncertainty over his fitness. The 31-year-old has been limited to just four games this season for the Premier League club due to knee and groin injuries. As expected, the 26-man squad includes Ajax right-back Jorge Sanchez, Napoli forward Hirving Lozano and veteran goalkeepers Guillermo Ochoa and Alfredo Talavera.

Manager Gerardo Martino also called up 36-year-old Real Betis midfielder Andres Guardado, who will take part in his fifth World Cup, reports Xinhua.

But there was no place for Mexico's all-time leading scorer, Javier Hernandez, who was overlooked despite scoring 19 goals across all competitions for LA Galaxy this year.

Mexico will begin their World Cup campaign against Poland on November 22 before meeting Argentina and Saudi Arabia in other group-stage matches.

Martino's men will conclude their preparations for the tournament with friendlies against Iraq on November 8 and Sweden on November 16.

El Tri have been eliminated in the round of 16 at each of the past seven editions of the World Cup dating back to 1994.

Mexico squad:

Goalkeepers: Guillermo Ochoa (America), Alfredo Talavera (Juarez), Rodolfo Cota (Leon);

Defenders: Jorge Sanchez (Ajax Amsterdam), Kevin Alvarez (Pachuca), Nestor Araujo (America), Johan Vasquez (US Cremonese), Gerardo Arteaga (KRC Genk), Hector Moreno, Cesar Montes, Jesus Gallardo (all Monterrey);

Midfielders: Erick Gutierrez (PSV), Orbelin Pineda (AEK Athens), Hector Herrera (Houston Dynamo), Andres Guardado (Real Betis), Roberto Alvarado (Guadalajara), Edson Alvarez (Ajax Amsterdam), Luis Chavez (Pachuca), Luis Romo (Monterrey), Carlos Rodriguez, Uriel Antuna (both Cruz Azul);

Forwards: Hirving Lozano (Napoli), Rogelio Funes Mori (Monterrey), Henry Martin (America), Raul Jimenez (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Alexis Vega (Guadalajara).

(This report has been published as part of the auto-generated syndicate wire feed. Apart from the headline, no editing has been done in the copy by ABP Live.)