What would Mexico’s ideal lineup look like? Given the injuries of several players, we present the ideal XI and the XI that Aguirre would have with all the available players.

The injuries They began to modify the planning of the Mexican National Team heading to the 2026 World Cup. In the last year, several footballers who were part of the base group were out of action due to various physical problems, a situation that forced Javier Aguirre and his coaching staff to move pieces ahead of schedule.

The most sensitive absences are concentrated in the goal and the midfield. Luis Malagón suffered a rupture of the Achilles tendon that rules him out of the fight for a place in the Worldwhile Marcel Ruiz tore the anterior cruciate ligament and the medial meniscus in his right knee. Both were part of the group that worked regularly during the process.

The picture is even more complicated with other players who are still in rehabilitation and will not be available for the next FIFA date, in which Mexico will face Portugal and Belgium. In total, around nine players who appeared constantly in recent squads are out of activity or in the final stage of recovery.

Among them, Luis Chávez, Santiago Gimenez, César Huerta and Luis Romo stand out, who are working to return to competition in the coming weeks. Some are already training with their clubs, although they have not yet added official minutes and the Tri coaching staff regularly monitors their evolution.

The young Gilberto Mora continues to recover from pubalgia. The jewel of Xolos de Tijuana aims to reach the Worldin a situation similar to that of Edson Álvarez and Rodrigo Huescas, who also remain in rehabilitation while alternatives for the following commitments are evaluated.

César Montes was one of the unknowns after an injury he suffered with Lokomotiv, but he scored at the weekend with his team and is part of the squad that will be in the reopening of the Banorte Stadium against Portugal.

Mexico looks for variants, especially in the midfield

Faced with this scenario, the coaching staff is forced to explore alternatives, especially in the midfield, the hardest hit area of ​​the team. One of the names that appears as an option is Álvaro Fidalgo. The Spanish midfielder, already naturalized Mexican, was qualified to be called up and Javier Aguirre He even traveled to Seville to meet with the player and Betis managers.

The possible eleven of Mexico with the current losses

Yeah Mexico If I had to play today, the eleven would be different from the one projected months ago. In goal, Raúl Rangel appears as the clearest option after the recent calls and the absence of Malagón.

The defense would present adjustments on the sides. Julián Araujo is going through a good moment with Celtic and was aiming for the right wing, but an injury breaks this idea, opening the door for Jorge Sánchez from PAOK in Greece. In the center would be Israel Reyes (or César Montes) and Johan Vásquez, while Jesús Gallardo would remain on the left.

In midfield, Erik Lira emerges as an alternative in containment, accompanied by Álvaro Fidalgo and Orbelín Pineda. On the left side, Julián Quiñones raises his hand as a starter, backed by his numbers: he is the Mexican forward with the most goals outside the Liga MX in the last year.

Up front, Raúl Jiménez would be the offensive reference. At his side, the decision is open between Armando González, Apertura 2025 scoring champion, or Germán Berterame, the Mexican with the most scores during 2025.

What would the lineup be like with all the players available?

The panorama changes considerably if El Tri manages to recover all the injured players. Several of the current starters would have to fight for their place again.

Fidalgo would compete for minutes in the midfield, while César Huerta would lose ground in the offensive rotation after his drop in performance in Belgium before the injury. Julián Quiñones and Gilberto Mora would get fully into the fight on the left side, along with Alexis Vega, who is having a good time with Toluca.

Julián Araujo would move to the bench before the return of Rodrigo Huescas, while Jorge Sánchez and Kevin Álvarez would compete for a place on the list.

In contention, Luis Chávez would once again be the natural starter, after previously beating Erik Lira, Luis Romo, Erick Sánchez and Charly Rodríguez, but his great competition would be with Gilberto Mora to know who would accompany Edson Álvarez, regular captain of ‘Vasco’ Aguirre.

Above, Santiago Gimenez and Raúl Jiménez would make up the main offensive duo, with Berterame and Armando González fighting to be the third option. Quiñones maintains an advantage due to his versatility, being able to play as a midfielder or midfielder on the left.

Mexico’s ideal lineup

Goal: Luis Malagón, who would have his final exam against Portugal before the World

Defense: Rodrigo Huescas, César Montes, Johan Vásquez and Jesús Gallardo

Midfield: Luis Chávez or Gilberto Mora in contention with Edson Álvarez, Hirving ‘Chucky’ Lozano on the right and Julián Quiñones on the left

Lead: Raúl Jiménez and Santiago Gimenez, the most solid offensive duo for the Mexican National Team.