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Mexico will be participating in their eighth consecutive World Cup in Qatar after finishing second in the CONCACAF qualifiers behind Canada on goal difference.Their best performance came in the 1970 and 1986 editions respectively, when they reached the quarter-finals and incidentally they were the hosts on both occasions.After crashing out in the round of 16 in 2018, can they go further this time around?<script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_d6e1e5da-7d9a-43d5-97e1-f4350a3cd7e3"}}</script>They have been drawn in Group C alongside favourites Argentina, Asian powerhouse Saudia Arabia, and Robert Lewandowski's Poland.A tricky group indeed, but Tata Martino will hope that his troops can at least qualify for the knockouts and anything is possible from there on. The manager has named the 26-man squad he'll be taking to the finals.ALSO READ: <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-us/lists/world-cup-2022-group-c-fixtures-results-standings-squads-and/blt4d30ea7ac21f240c">World Cup 2022 Group C: Fixtures, results, standings, squads &amp; full details</a>

Mexico World Cup 2022 squad: Who's in and who's out?

Guillermo Ochoa is likely to be the first choice for Martino in Qatar. The veteran goalkeeper has been an undisputed starter for Club America this season and knows what's required at this level. Rodolfo Cota is a solid option as a back-up keeper as he is a regular starter with Leon and last appeared in national colours in a 3-0 win over Suriname in June 2022. Alfredo Talavera, meanwhile, is another experienced option, who has 38 caps with the national team after making his debut in 2011. <table><thead><tr><th>Name</th><th>Club</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Guillermo Ochoa</td><td>Club America</td></tr><tr><td>Alfredo Talavera</td><td>Juarez</td></tr><tr><td>Rodolfo Cota</td><td>Club Leon</td></tr></tbody></table>

GOALKEEPERS

Tata Martino likes to stick to a traditional back four. Mexico's backline is a mix of youth end experience as there are some veteran candidates in Hector Moreno, Nestor Araujo and Jesus Gallardo, along with some young talents like Kevin Alvarez, Jesus Angulo, and Johan Vasquez. Angulo is a versatile player who can play as a left-back and can also slot in at centre-back. He will face stiff competition from Gerardo Arteaga and experienced defender Gallardo for a place in the starting XI. Jorge Sanchez has been struggling for minutes at Ajax, so Alvarez might get the nod in the right-back position. The 23-year-old has been in sensational form in Liga MX for Pachuca.<table><thead><tr><th>Name</th><th>Club</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Jorge Sanchez</td><td>Ajax</td></tr><tr><td>Nestor Araujo</td><td>Club America</td></tr><tr><td>Gerardo Arteaga</td><td>Genk</td></tr><tr><td>Kevin Alvarez</td><td>CF Pachuca</td></tr><tr><td>Jesus Gallardo</td><td>Monterrey</td></tr><tr><td>Cesar Montes</td><td>Monterrey</td></tr><tr><td>Hector Moreno</td><td>Monterrey</td></tr><tr><td>Johan Vazquez</td><td>Cremonese</td></tr></tbody></table>

DEFENDERS

Hector Herrera must be one of the first names on the team sheet as the 32-year-old brings a wealth of experience after spending close to a decade in Europe plying his trade first with Porto and then with Atletico Madrid. He will be ably supported by another veteran in Andres Guardado, the joint most-capped player in Mexico's history, as well as Ajax star Edson Alvarez.In terms of wide players, the injury-enforced absence of Jesus 'Tecatito' Corona puts further pressure on the likes Uriel Antuna to shine opposite Chucky Lozano.The Sevilla man was somewhat surprisingly named in the provisional squad irrespective of his fitness problems, but it quickly became apparent he would not be fit in time.<table><thead><tr><th>Name</th><th>Club</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Orbelin Pineda</td><td>AEK Athens</td></tr><tr><td>Carlos Rodriguez</td><td>Cruz Azul</td></tr><tr><td>Uriel Antuna</td><td>Cruz Azul</td></tr><tr><td>Roberto Alvarado</td><td>Guadalajara</td></tr><tr><td>Hector Herrera</td><td>Houston Dynamo&nbsp;</td></tr><tr><td>Erick Gutierrez</td><td>PSV</td></tr><tr><td>Luis Chavez</td><td>Pachuca</td></tr><tr><td>Luis Romo</td><td>Monterrey</td></tr><tr><td>Andres Guardado</td><td>Real Betis</td></tr><tr><td>Edson Alvarez</td><td>Ajax</td></tr><tr><td>Hirving Lozano</td><td>Napoli</td></tr></tbody></table>

MIDFIELDERS

Mexico boasts a strong frontline with the likes of Lozano and Raul Jimenez as the star men. Rogelio Funes Mori of Monterrey has been in brilliant form this season in Liga MX, while Henry Martin is also hitting the right chords for Club America and will be pushing for a starting berth.One player that was left out of the squad was Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez, with Martino opting not to call in the LA Galaxy star despite a strong season in MLS.<table><thead><tr><th>Name</th><th>Club</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Henry Martin</td><td>Club America</td></tr><tr><td>Rogelio Funes Mori</td><td>Monterrey</td></tr><tr><td>Raul Jimenez</td><td>Wolves</td></tr><tr><td>Alexis Vega</td><td>Chivas</td></tr></tbody></table>

ATTACKERS

Ochoa should start between the sticks, if there are no injury concerns. Martino's two centre-backs are likely to be Moreno and Montes. Sanchez could slot in at right-back with Gallardo on the other flank. In midfield, the two experienced Herrera will be partnered by Alvarez, with Chavez likely to complete the midfield three.In the absence of injured winger Corona, the front-three might comprise of Lozano, Vega, and Martin, if Jimenez isn't cleared. Mexico XI (4-3-3): Ochoa; Sanchez, Moreno, Montes, Gallardo; Alvarez, Herrera, Chavez; Lozano, Martin, Vega.

STRONGEST XI

Sevilla star Jesus Corona will not make it to Qatar due to injury, while legendary striker Javier Hernandez is no longer an option for Martino for tactical reasons.<table><thead><tr><th>Player</th><th>Position</th><th>Reason</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez</td><td>LA Galaxy</td><td>Tactical</td></tr><tr><td>Jesus "Tecatito" Corona</td><td>Sevilla</td><td>Injury</td></tr></tbody></table>

NOTABLE ABSENTEES

Mexico World Cup 2022 squad: Who's in and who's out? | Goal.com US

Mexico boast a balanced squad with the right mix of youth and experience, with Gerardo Martino making some bold calls ahead of the 2022 World Cup.