soccer
The Mexico national team lands in Barcelona ahead of the 2022 World Cup
El Tri arrived in Catalonia at 1:30pm local time before making their way to Girona for their pre-World Cup training camp
El Tri has arrived in Catalonia. The Mexico national team landed at Barcelona-El Prat Airport at just after 1:30pm local time (8:30am ET) on Tuesday and did so with tired faces after a flight of more than 10 hours. But they quickly made to feel ‘at home’, even though only a small group of around 25 fans were there to welcome them to their new surroundings. There is a large Mexican community in Barcelona, which will become evident in the coming hours. After landing, the players boarded a coach bound for Girona, where they will be based until 17 November. World Cup fever is here.
Guillermo Ochoa, Héctor Herrera, Héctor Moreno and Henry Martín were the star attractions at the airport in Barcelona. Final preparations for the World Cup in Qatar are well underway and the goal is now to be in peak shape for the opening group game against Poland on 22 November. Pachuca trio Kevin Álvarez, Luis Chávez and Erick Sanchéz, who became Liga MX 2022 Apertura champions by defeating Toluca on Sunday, were also in the limelight.
Will Raúl Jiménez be fit for Mexico at the 2022 World Cup?
One of the main talking points ahead of El Tri’s arrival in Barcelona was whether Raúl Jiménez will ultimately be fit to take his place on Tato Martino’s 26-man World Cup roster. The striker is currently in England doing recovery work after a groin injury, although there is optimism that he will be ready in time for the tournament. Jiménez will, at the very least, be given until the last moment to prove his fitness. Meanwhile, European-based players such as Hirving Lozano, Edson Álvarez and Andrés Guardado will be the last to arrive at the camp in Girona. They are expected to be involved in the friendly against Sweden on 16 November.