MEXICO CITY (AP) 鈥� Mexico’s prefers not to dwell on absences and instead focus on players he has available for two warmup matches ahead of the .
Mexico is missing 12 regular call-ups including captain Edson Alvarez and five other starters as the team prepares to face Portugal on Saturday and Belgium three days later.
The match against Portugal marks the reopening of the iconic , which has been closed since May 2024 for renovations to host the third World Cup in its history. The game against Belgium will be played at Soldier Field in Chicago.
The absences include six players from the team that won the regional Nations League and the last year.
鈥淗alf of the team that won two titles, with whom you forged a family bond and a commitment, and who lifted a trophy today, are not with you,鈥� Aguirre said at a press conference Thursday. 鈥淚t鈥檚 by no means an excuse because other Mexicans are emerging in the same positions and they will try.鈥�
Among the injured players are AC Milan striker Santiago Gim茅nez, midfielders Luis Ch谩vez and C茅sar Huerta, and full-back Rodrigo Huescas, all playing in European leagues.
鈥淚t鈥檚 true that of these 12 injured players, two or three are definitely out, not because of me, but due to medical reasons, but there could be good news for the others,鈥� the coach said. 鈥淎re there any absences? Yes, there are, we鈥檒l miss them, that鈥檚 true, but we can鈥檛 depend on anyone. We haven鈥檛 done so far. Therefore, if Juan isn鈥檛 available, Pedro will come in.鈥�
In addition to them, goalkeeper Luis Malag贸n and midfielder Marcel Ruiz sustained recent injuries that will keep them out of the World Cup, where Mexico debuts on June 11 against South Africa.
Malag贸n鈥檚 injury opened the door for the return of 40-year-old veteran Guillermo Ochoa, who was called up to the team for the first time since the Gold Cup, where he was a substitute throughout the tournament. The goalkeeper is seeking his sixth World Cup appearance.
鈥溾�楳emo鈥� is a goalkeeper who is active, who is competing, and he is a player who helps us a lot on and off the field,鈥� Aguirre said. 鈥淗e is a role model in Mexican soccer, he is active, he is fit, he is working hard, and I want to see him play.鈥�
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