Mexico's World Cup dreams are alive and well, as manager Javier Aguirre has unveiled his 55-man provisional roster, a list that must be trimmed to just 26 names by June 1. While the big names are all present, the squad is also a story of second chances and remarkable comebacks, offering plenty of hope for fans and a glimpse into the depth of El Tri's talent pool.
At the top of the list, Raúl Jiménez leads the attack, teenage sensation Gilberto Mora adds energy in midfield, and the formidable center-back pairing of Johan Vásquez and César Montes anchors the defense. In goal, World Cup legend Guillermo Ochoa is joined by Chivas' Raúl Rangel, who is expected to start, alongside his club teammate Armando "Hormiga" González and Toluca playmaker Alexis Vega.
However, the roster isn't without its notable absentees. Hirving Lozano, the hero of the 2018 World Cup, is left off due to a prolonged internal dispute with his MLS club, San Diego FC, leaving him out of rhythm and off the provisional list. Meanwhile, FC Copenhagen's Rodrigo Huescas, who hoped to recover from an October ACL tear in time for the tournament, is also missing as he has yet to return to the pitch for his club.
But for every disappointment, there's a story of resilience. Edson Álvarez, listed as a defender but equally capable in midfield, is working his way back from injuries with Fenerbahçe and recently made a brief cameo in a Turkish league game. Fullback Julián Araujo is still recovering from a March injury with Celtic, but the news is brighter further up the field.
Two-way midfielder Luis Chávez has defied the odds, seeing minutes in five games for Dinamo Moscow after suffering an ACL tear in the summer of 2025. Similarly, César "Chino" Huerta has overcome a pelvic injury requiring two surgeries and has already come off the bench twice for Anderlecht in May, earning his spot on the long list.
With a training camp already underway for Liga MX-based players, Aguirre is fine-tuning his squad for the World Cup and preparing for a May 22 friendly against Ghana, followed by two more matches. This provisional roster isn't just a list of names—it's a testament to perseverance and the relentless spirit of Mexican football.