Javier Aguirre announces Mexico's 55-player preliminary list for the 2026 World Cup

The road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup has reached a defining milestone for Mexico. Head coach Javier Aguirre has officially submitted a 55-man preliminary roster to FIFA, a list that features significant absences and a few tactical surprises as "El Tri" prepares for its co-hosting duties.

Photo:  Liamara Polli | AP

The most notable exclusions are Hirving 'Chucky' Lozano and Rodrigo Huescas. Lozano was left out due to disciplinary issues and a lack of consistent playing time with San Diego FC. Huescas, on the other hand, was ruled out as he continues to recover from a torn ACL. Aguirre also bypassed injured regulars such as goalkeeper Luis Ángel Malagón and defender Jesús Orozco Chiquete.

Despite these cuts, the preliminary roster includes high-profile "naturalized" players like Álvaro Fidalgo (Real Betis), Julián Quiñones, and Germán Berterame. The list also marks the return of Marcel Ruiz and Diego Lainez, who were not part of the initial local training camp but remain in contention for the final 26-man squad, which must be finalized by June 1.

Liga MX powerhouse Chivas de Guadalajara serves as the backbone of the roster with eight called-up players, while the European contingent remains strong with Edson Álvarez (Fenerbahce) and Santiago Giménez (AC Milan) leading the charge. With six goalkeepers on the list, including veteran Guillermo Ochoa and Athletic Club's Alex Padilla, Aguirre is keeping his options open for the most scrutinized position in Mexican football.

Goalkeepers

Alex Padilla | Athletic Club, Antonio Rodríguez | Tijuana, Carlos Acevedo | Santos, Carlos Moreno | Pachuca, Guillermo Ochoa | AEL Limassol, Raúl Rangel | Guadalajara.

Defenders

Bryan González | Guadalajara, César Montes | FC Lokomotiv, Edson Álvarez | Fenerbache, Eduardo Águila | San Luis, Everardo López | Toluca, Israel Reyes | América, Jesús Angulo | Tigres, Jesús Gallardo | Toluca, Jesús Gómez | Tijuana, Johan Vásquez | Genoa, Jorge Sánchez | PAOK, Julián Araujo | Celtic, Luis Rey | Puebla, Mateo Chávez | AZ Alkmaar, Ramón Juárez | América, Richard Ledezma | Guadalajara, Victor Guzmán | Monterrey, 

Midfielders

Alexei Domínguez | Pachuca, Alexis Gutiérrez | América, Álvaro Fidalgo | Real Betis, Brian Gutiérrez | Guadalajara, Carlos Rodríguez | Cruz Azul, Denzell García | FC Juárez, Diego Lainez | Tigres, Efraín Álvarez | Guadalajara, Elías Montiel | Pachuca, Erick Sánchez | América, Erik Lira | Cruz Azul, Gilberto Mora | Tijuana, Isaías Violante | América, Jeremy Márquez | Cruz Azul, Jordan Carrillo | Pumas UNAM, Jorge Ruvalcaba | NY Red Bulls, Kevin Castañeda | Tijuana, Luis Chávez | Dinamo Moscú, Luis Romo | Guadalajara, Marcel Ruiz | Toluca, Obed Vargas | Atlético Madrid, Orbelín Pineda | AEK Atenas, Ricardo Angulo | Toluca.

Forwards

Alexis Vega | Toluca, Armando González | Guadalajara, César Huerta | Anderlecht, Germán Berterame | Inter Miami, Guillermo Martínez | Pumas UNAM, Julián Quiñones | Al-Qadisiyah, Raúl Jiménez | Fulham, Roberto Alvarado | Guadalajara, Santiago Giménez | AC Milan.