On Tuesday, the Mexico national team announced its roster of players from Liga MX for the upcoming early World Cup camp, featuring talented young player Gilberto Mora from Club Tijuana.
This initial 12-man squad is scheduled to commence training next week, ahead of the arrival of a group of European-based players later in May.
In addition to the 17-year-old Mora, other prominent players called up include outstanding Toluca attacker Alexis Vega, Club América’s adaptable defender Israel Reyes, and Chivas’ striker Armando Gonzalez.
Chivas, with five players on the list, also includes Raúl Rangel, Roberto Alvarado, Luis Romo, and dual-national player Brian Gutiérrez.
Mora recently returned to action for Tijuana after recovering from a groin injury that kept him sidelined for two months. The youngest player to ever represent Mexico in a World Cup is Manuel “Chaquetas” Rosas, who was 18 years and 88 days old when he played in the inaugural tournament in 1930.
“I’m glad to be back after my injury that kept me out for much of the [Liga MX]. It was a lengthy recovery, but I feel great now and am ready for what lies ahead. I’m fully fit in every aspect,” Mora stated on Saturday.
Seventeen-year-olds, including the legendary Pele, have made appearances in World Cups, with Northern Ireland’s Norman Whiteside being the youngest to do so in 1982 in Spain.
If Mora plays in the World Cup, he could become either the sixth or seventh youngest player to do so—Mexico kicks off against South Africa on June 11.
Despite the Liga MX playoffs starting this week, an agreement was established last December between the league and the federation to prioritize the national team’s preparation, allowing El Tri players to arrive early for training camp.
This plan gives manager Javier Aguirre over five weeks to prepare with a Liga MX-focused squad while other nations are still completing their club seasons.
When the European-based players join the camp ahead of Mexico’s World Cup opener against South Africa, Aguirre will finalize the 26-man roster by June 1.
An additional group of Liga MX players from non-playoff clubs will also join the early camp.
Per ESPN MX, these alternates are aware that their chances of making the World Cup squad are slim and will serve mainly to support training sessions and fill gameday rosters for upcoming friendlies.
This group consists of eight players from teams that did not qualify for the playoffs, making them unlikely candidates for the final roster this summer.
Before the World Cup begins, Aguirre’s squad will participate in friendly matches against Ghana on May 22, Australia on May 30, and Serbia on June 4.
Mexico’s World Cup journey begins against South Africa on June 11, followed by matches against South Korea on June 18 and Czechia on June 24.
The Liga MX quarterfinals kick off on May 2 and will conclude with the second leg of the final on May 24.
Mexico’s Liga MX-based roster
Goalkeepers: Raul Rangel (Chivas), Carlos Acevedo (Santos Laguna)
Defenders: Jesús Gallardo (Toluca), Israel Reyes (Club America)
Midfielders: Luis Romo (Chivas), Gilberto Mora (Club Tijuana), Brian Gutierrez (Chivas), Erik Lira (Cruz Azul), Roberto Alvarado (Chivas)
Forwards: Armando Gonzalez (Chivas), Alexis Vega (Toluca), Guillermo Martínez (Pumas)
Additional training group from non-playoff Liga MX teams
Goalkeeper: Oscar Garcia (Leon)
Defenders: Luis Rey (Puebla), Eduardo Aguila (Atletico San Luis), Jesus Gomez (Club Tijuana), Denzell Garcia (FC Juarez)
Midfielders: Iker Fimbres (Monterrey), Jairo Torres (FC Juarez)
Forward: Kevin Castañeda (Club Tijuana)
Information from The Associated Press was utilized in this report.