Mexico returned to the Copa America after a two-edition absence since facing a humiliating exit in 2016. The CONCACAF nation is in struggling form but can navigate out from a tricky group containing fellow side Jamaica and two CONMEBOL teams, Ecuador and Venezuela. Manager Jaime Lozano has left out some of the star names from the team for more fresh faces. It is left to see whether the gamble pays off in the tournament hosted in the USA. Mexico’s journey in Copa America 2024 begins on Sunday, 23 June 2024.
History
Mexico has participated in 10 Copa America before 2024 since making their debut 31 years ago. They finished as runners-up in the first appearance in 1993 to be beaten by Argentina while also repeating the feat in 2001 losing out to hosts Colombia after defeating South American powerhouses like Chile and Uruguay in the knockouts. Since then, El Tri has failed to reach the final but has managed three semi-final appearances in 1997, 1999 and 2007. In 2016, Mexico reached the quarterfinals after going unscratched in their group, even beating Uruguay, but was embarrassed by Chile who smashed seven goals past them. It became the heaviest defeat in Mexico’s footballing history with their national record of 22-game unbeaten also coming to an end.
Preparation for Copa America 2024
Jaime Lozano’s team are entering Copa America 2024 on the back of poor form with just three wins since their Gold Cup win a year back. The side lost to rivals USA in the CONCACAF Nations League final in March and followed it up with losses against Uruguay and Brazil in June friendlies. Even the 1-0 win over lower-ranked Bolivia was a hard-fought one. Mexico conceded 18 goals in that period making their defence shaky before the tournament.
Mexico squad for Copa America 2024
Goalkeepers: Julio González (UNAM), Carlos Acevedo (Melgar), Raúl Rangel (Guadalajara)
Defenders: Jorge Sánchez (Porto), César Montes (Almería), Johan Vásquez (Genoa), Gerardo Arteaga (Monterrey), Jesús Orozco (Guadalajara), Israel Reyes (América), Brian García (Toluca), Oliver Sonne (Silkeborg), Alexander Callens (Girona), Nicolás Fernández (Audax Italiano), Bryan González (Pachuca)
Midfielders: Edson Álvarez (West Ham), Luis Romo (Monterrey), Carlos Rodríguez (Cruz Azul), Érick Sánchez (Pachuca), Jordi Cortizo (Monterrey), Orbelín Pineda (AEK Athens), Luis Chávez (Dynamo Moscow), Roberto Alvarado (Guadalajara)
Forwards: Julián Quiñones (América), Alexis Vega (Toluca), Santiago Giménez (Feyenoord), Uriel Antuna (Cruz Azul), Marcelo Flores (UANL), César Huerta (UNAM), Guillermo Martínez (UNAM), Joao Grimaldo (Sporting Cristal), Franco Zanelatto (Alianza Lima)
Captain: Edson Álvarez
Manager: Jaime Lozano
Established names missing from the squads are star winger Hirving Lozano, shot-stopper Guillermo Ochoa and striker Raul Jimenez as manager Jaime Lozano has kept faith in the players that led them to Gold Cup success last year. Alexis Peña, Jordan Carrillo, Andrés Montaño, Fernando Beltrán and Víctor Guzmán are left out from the provisional list. Signed for West Ham last summer, Edson Álvarez will be the midfield lynchpin while captaining the side. Santiago Giménez is the main attacking force after another incredible scoring season for Feyenoord with 26 goals in all competitions. In the absence of Ochoa and Luis Malagón injured, Julio González could step into the number one role having also played the friendlies in the build-up to the tournament.
How will Mexico Lineup at Copa America 2024?
Mexico Fixtures for Copa America 2024
Sunday, 23 June 2024
Mexico vs Jamaica - NRG Stadium, Texas (06:30)
Thursday, 27 June 2024
Venezuela vs Mexico - SoFi Stadium, California (06:30)
Monday, 1 July 2024
Mexico vs Ecuador - State Farm Stadium, Arizona (05:30)
