The young players that could choose Mexico at international level

The United States, Mexico, Canada and El Salvador are trying to build their team for the future. There are several young prospects who are eligible to play at international level with each team, but have yet to make a decision with the FIFA World Cup right around the corner.

In CONCACAF, the 2022 U20 Championship will start in June and 16 teams will fight for four spots to play in the 2023 FIFA U20 World Cup in Indonesia. The coach of the Mexico youth national team, Luis Ernesto Pérez, has been following several young players that have dual citizenship and could receive a call up for the upcoming tournament.

Marcelo Flores

Marcelo Flores is a hugely exciting young prospect who is eligible to play for both Mexico and Canada. The 18-year-old, who is in Arsenal’s academy, is close to making a decision and has received a call up for El Tri in the upcoming friendly against Guatemala on Wednesday at Camping World Stadium.

Flores has been vocal about his situation and would like to play for Mexico at international level. The 18-year-old has been clear about his decision, but if the coach of the Mexican national team, Gerardo Martino, does not include him in the final roster for the World Cup, then Canada could take advantage of the situation and call him up.

Jonathan Gómez

The 18-year-old Real Sociedad academy player is also eligible for both Mexico and the United States national teams. The defender received his first call up for El Tri for the upcoming non-FIFA friendly against Guatemala on Wednesday and could win his first cap.

Cade Cowell

The San Jose Earthquakes starlet, 18, has already made his debut for the USMNT, winning two caps in which he has provided one assist. Cade Cowell is of Mexican-American descent and is still eligible to play for both the United States and Mexico. In this case it seems that Cowell has made up his mind to remain an option for the USMNT in future call ups.

Nathan Ordaz

The 18-year-old became the fourth homegrown player in Los Angeles Football Club’s history and signed his first professional contract on Monday. Ordaz is eligible to play for three national teams - United States, El Salvador and Mexico. The LAFC ace has yet to make his decision but last week he won the 2022 Dallas Cup with El Salvador’s U19 side and they are trying to convince him to stay with them.

Jonathan Gómez

The 20-year-old FSV Zwickau player is eligible to represent both the United States and Mexico, and his brother, who plays for Porto B, is in the same situation. Jonathan Gómez has been vocal about his desire to play for the United States and could receive a call up for the CONCACAF U20 Championship in the summer.

Alex Alcalá

The 16-year-old, who plays for the Los Angeles Galaxy II, is eligible for both the United States and Mexico. Alex Alcalá showcased his talent earlier this month in a friendly against the Manchester United academy and is now being closely followed by Mexico and the USMNT. It is unlikely he will receive a call up for the upcoming U20 Championship in CONCACAF because of his age, but he is now on the radar of both teams.