FIFA World cup 2022: Mexico full schedule : Mexico have set themselves a familiar mission ahead of their eighth consecutive World Cup finals.
In each of their last seven World Cup appearances, Mexico have stumbled in the round of 16, with that elusive fifth game turning into a national obsession for fans back home.
In 2018, Mexico caused a huge upset by beating Germany 1-0 before crashing to a 3-0 defeat to Sweden and losing their grip on top spot in the group. That set up a last-16 showdown with Brazil where once again they crashed out of the tournament after just four games.
Mexico's goal-scoring concerns linger as Mexico prepare for the finals. Raul Jimenez, the Wolves striker who has become Mexico's main goal threat ever since Javier el 'Chicharito' Hernandez was banished from the national team due to disciplinary issues, has been dogged by injury the past year.
Despite returning to first-team action in the Premier League at the start of the season, since the end of August he has failed to play a single minute and is touch and go for the final squad. His last league goal came back in February.
Sevilla winger Jesus 'Tecatito' Corona is another player who faces a desperate race against time to prove his fitness before the start of the tournament. The 29-year-old tore his knee ligaments in training for Sevilla back in August and looks unlikely to make manager Gerardo Martino's final squad.
This time around, Mexico's attempts to reach the knockout stages in Qatar look increasingly daunting. Mexico qualified in second place in the eight-team final CONCACAF table, losing just two games. But they often struggled to break down far weaker sides and averaged just over a goal a game. No Mexican player scored more than three goals on the road to Qatar.
Mexico are in Group C alongside Copa America winners Argentina, Saudi Arabia and Poland.
El Tri have played 57 games in the FIFA World Cup out of which they have won 16 and lost 27.
Here is the predicted 31-man provisional squad for Mexico's World Cup campaign
Guillermo Ochoa (Club America), Alfredo Talavera (Juarez), Rodolfo Cota (Club Leon)
Jorge Sanchez (Ajax), Nestor Araujo (Club America), Gerardo Arteaga (Genk), Kevin Alvarez (CF Pachuca), Jesus Gallardo (Monterrey), Cesar Montes (Monterrey), Hector Moreno (Monterrey), Jesus Angulo (Tigres UANL), Johan Vazquez (Cremonese)
Jorge Sanchez (Ajax), Nestor Araujo (Club America), Gerardo Arteaga (Genk), Kevin Alvarez (CF Pachuca), Jesus Gallardo (Monterrey), Cesar Montes (Monterrey), Hector Moreno (Monterrey), Jesus Angulo (Tigres UANL), Johan Vazquez (Cremonese)
Henry Martin (Club America), Santiago Gimenez (Feyenoord), Rogelio Funes Mori (Monterrey), Raul Jimenez (Wolves), Alexis Vega (Chivas)
Mexico vs Poland - 22nd Nov; 9.30 PM IST – Stadium 974
Mexico vs Argentina 27th Nov; 12:30 AM IST – Lusail Stadium
Mexico vs Saudi Arabia – 1st Dec; 12.30 AM IST- Lusail Stadium
FIFA World Cup will be live telecast on Sports18 and Sports18 HD in India
Fifa WC 2022 will be live streamed on VOOT Select and JioTV
FIFA World cup 2022: Poland full schedule, match timings, team news, live telecast and streaming
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