CONCACAF NATIONS LEAGUE
Mexico’s preliminary Nations League finals squad announced: who’s included?
Mexico head coach Jaime Lozano has named an initial squad of 60 players for next month’s 2023/24 CONCACAF Nations League finals in the US.
With just under a month to go until the CONCACAF Nations League finals, Mexico boss Jaime Lozano has unveiled his 60-man preliminary squad for the event, which is to be held in the United States.
From the Liga MX, the clubs with the most representatives are América (eight), Monterrey (seven) and Chivas Guadalajara (six).
Ochoa, Montes in despite disastrous club campaigns
Among the Europe-based players named on Lozano’s initial list, César Montes and Guillermo Ochoa are notable inclusions given the poor club seasons they’re enduring. Montes’ Almería are winless in Spain’s LaLiga and heading for relegation, while Ochoa’s Salernitana are also bottom of the table in Italy.
Other regulars from European clubs, such as Orbelín Pineda, Hirving Lozano and Santiago Giménez, have also been picked.
Dos Santos and Guzmán among surprises
The surprise faces in Mexico’s preliminary squad include Jonathan dos Santos, who has been reward for his displays for América. Dos Santos, who hasn’t played for the national team since 2021, last year helped Las Águilas to their 14th Mexican league title in the Apertura 2023 tournament.
Another unexpected pick is Víctor Guzmán, who last represented Mexico five years ago. The 29-year-old Chivas midfielder is currently the top scorer in the Liga MX’s Clausura 2024 championship, with six goals.
CONCACAF Nations League finals: when and where?
The 2023/24 Nations League finals, which feature Mexico, the USMNT, Jamaica and Panama, will be held between 21 and 24 March, with AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, hosting all four games.
The USMNT face Jamaica in the first semi-final at 7pm ET on 21 March, before Mexico take on Panama at 10:15pm ET that evening. The two losing teams then meet in the third-place playoff on 24 March, before the semi-final winners go head to head in the final later on the same day (both kick-off times are yet to be confirmed).
Mexico’s preliminary Nations League finals squad:
Goalkeepers: Guillermo Ochoa, Luis Malagón, Toño Rodríguez, Carlos Acevedo, Julio González.
Defenders: Julián Araujo, César Montes, Johan Vásquez, Gerardo Arteaga, Jorge Sánchez, Jesús Gallardo, Israel Reyes, Omar Campos, Jesús Angulo, Kevin Álvarez, Jesús Orozco Chiquete, Cristian Calderón, Erick Aguirre, Ramón Juárez, Alexis Peña, Brian García, Víctor Guzmán, Eduardo Fernández.
Midfielders: Edson Álvarez, Luis Romo, Roberto Alvarado, Sebastián Córdova, Érick Sánchez, Orbelín Pineda, Luis Chávez, Rodrigo Huescas, Erik Lira, Erick Gutiérrez, Marcel Ruiz, Diego Lainez, Fidel Ambriz, Fernando Beltrán, Jordi Cortizo, Jonathan dos Santos, Víctor Guzmán, Rodrigo López, Carlos Rodríguez, Jordan Carrillo, Denzell García, Omar Govea, Diego Medina, Juan Pablo Domínguez, Pavel Pérez.
Forwards: Raúl Jiménez, Santiago Giménez, Uriel Antuna, Julián Quiñones, Henry Martín, César Huerta, Hirving Lozano, Alexis Vega, Ozziel Herrera, Guillermo Martínez, Marcelo Flores, Edgar López.