Who could replace Marcel Ruiz in Mexico’s World Cup squad?
One of the Mexicans’ key midfielders, Toluca’s Marcel Ruiz is set to miss the 2026 World Cup after tearing knee ligaments.
A under three months to go before the 2026 World Cup kicks off, Javier Aguirre’s Mexican national team is dealing with a mounting list of injuries, after two key players were this week ruled out of the tournament.
Fresh on the back of an Achilles tear to goalkeeper Luis Ángel Malagón, midfielder Marcel Ruiz has ruptured his ACL - leaving Aguirre to reassess his options for the Mexican engine room ahead of the World Cup.
Who can fill Ruiz’s boots for Mexico?
There are several clear-cut options who have featured in Aguirre’s recent call-ups: Erik Lira (Cruz Azul), Brian Gutiérrez (Chivas), Alexis Gutiérrez (Club América), Orbelín Pineda (AEK Athens), and Carlos Rodríguez (Cruz Azul). All five remain very much in contention for a spot on the final World Cup roster.
Beyond those who have logged minutes with the national team, several players who are in form with their clubs and performing well have emerged as intriguing alternatives. Álvaro Fidalgo (Real Betis), Obed Vargas (Atlético Madrid), and Iker Fimbres (Monterrey) are the most talked‑about candidates to fill the vacancy.
Who could return from injury before World Cup?
There are three midfielders who might recover in time to make a late push for a roster spot.
Edson Álvarez underwent ankle surgery in early February and is expected to need six to eight weeks of recovery. If all goes well, he should be available for Mexico’s March FIFA international friendlies.
Gilberto Mora is another name who could make the cut at the last moment. The young midfielder has been sidelined with a sports hernia and hasn’t played since January, but he’s projected to return for the upcoming matches against Portugal and Belgium at the end of the month.
The final case is Luis Chávez. The Dynamo Moscow midfielder tore his ACL in June of last year. His recovery timeline has him returning in early April, though reports suggest Chávez is pushing to speed up his return.
Mexico roster settled by end of month
All signs point to Mexico’s final 26‑man World Cup roster being all but finalized in time for this month’s FIFA international window.
According to various reports, Aguirre already has the majority of the list settled. Only a few spots remain undecided, along with the openings created by the recent injuries and the players who won’t recover in time for the World Cup.
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