Mexico prepared to wait until the last minute for Raúl Jiménez
Mexican FA executives are confident that the Wolves striker will be on the plane to Doha in November.
Mexico head coach Gerardo Martino is clear that his number one center forward for the 2022 Qatar World Cup is Wolves striker Raúl Jiménez but the player is involved in a race against the clock to be fit as he continues rehabilitation from a groin problem. Mexico FA’s Jaime Ordiales has confirmed that the federation will wait until the final minute with the intention that Jiménez has recovered and can be included in the squad.
“It is a matter being dealt with the national team medical staff and I think, God willing he’s going to be ready and the treatment is bearing fruit with Raúl with the player in Mexico City”, explained Ordiales, at the Miguel Hidalgo International Airport in the city of Guadalajara.
“I spoke with him (Jimenez) the day before yesterday, he is happy, he is calm, he says that he is doing well, that he feels good and he has faith that he will recover well. Gerardo’s (Martino) idea is to hold off submitting the final list at the last minute as Raúl is a key player, as everyone is important for the National Team”, added Ordiales.
All federations have been given a deadline by FIFA of 13 November to submit their final 26 player squads with the competition starting on 20 November with host nation Qatar facing Ecuador.
Mexico are pitted in Group C and will play Poland, Argentina and Saudi Arabia.