Technical Error (Not Russian Profile) 

e last 6 World Cups in a row the Mexicans have crashed out in the second round. In Russia, they will look to finally put to bed the curse of the fifth game. Juan Carlos Osorio has spared no expense in his attempts to shake the second round handcuffs and has, at last, sent a squad that the Mexican public desired. Carlos Vela is back with the national team after missing out in 2014.  His move from Europe to LA has seemed to reinvigorate the forward. The Dos Santos brothers are both included in a World Cup squad for the very first time. The ex-Barcelona products have also settled in LA and Gio would be especially expected to be the conductor of the  Mexican orchestra. Rafa Marquez will be going to an amazing fifth World Cup despite his legal troubles back in Mexico, arguably the greatest Mexican footballer of all time, Marquez will look to spread his vast experience throughout the squad. Chicarito has broken the ceiling for goals for the national team and is now El Tri’s greatest ever goal scorer. The little pea scored in every World Cup he has played in and will look to do so again, this time as a starter. Andreas Guardardo is a slight injury concern but will be with the team as he tries to recover in time for Mexico’s opening games. Porto trio Herrera, Corona and Reyes are all present and Layun is in positive form after his successful loan move to Sevilla. Russia 2018 will also see Mexico unveil Hirving ”Chucky” Lozano to the world. The Mexican starlet had a choice of the contracts from the world’s finest clubs to choose from and in the end followed the footsteps of "O Fenômeno" Ronaldo and selected PSV. His life at PSV started on fire scoring 9 goals in his first 8 games. With Mino Riola as his agent, he will have the support to reach the very top of world football. 

 

Head Coach: Juan Carlos Osorio

 

Population: 123 million

 

Appearances: 16

 

Best: Quarter Finals 1970,1986

 

How they Qualified: There was no repeat of the nightmare of World Cup qualification 2014 where Mexico needed an intercontinental play-off to qualify. This time the Mexicans blitzed through qualifying. Scoring the most and conceding the least in the CONCACAF Hex. Their only loss was on the final day to Honduras when Mexico already confirmed qualification. The team that got them to the World Cup is more or less the same team that will be at the World Cup which was not always the case for previous generations. 

 

Star Players:Hector Herrera(Porto), Chicharito (West Ham), Gio dos Santos (LA Galaxy), Carlos Vela (LAFC), Hirving Lozano (PSV)

 

Wildcard: Jesús Manuel Corona-Consistency has always been a problem for the Porto attacker. For his sound technique he just never seems to impact the game as often as he should. When he is up for it though he can be almost unstoppable. 

 

Legend:Hugo Sanchez