With the 2026 World Cup just 10 months away, Mexico will face Japan and South Korea in the September FIFA window
Gilberto Mora and Israel Reyes omittedHirving Lozano and Diego Lainez returnJulián Quiñones also left outFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱AFPWHAT HAPPENED?
Javier Aguirre’s squad announcement for Mexico’s September friendlies has sparked heavy debate among pundits, who argue the national team coach should no longer be experimenting or leaving out players many see as indispensable.
“Why is Juan José Purata there and not Ramón Juárez? Why is Israel Reyes missing when he’s been playing well with América? Sepúlveda, really? And Quiñones should also be in,” said ESPN analyst Javier Alarcón on Futbol Picante.
Former Mexico striker Jared Borgetti added: “We wonder about these absences because maybe he already has certain names locked in for the World Cup and wants to test others. But leaving out Israel Reyes is strange. You’ve got the same centerbacks: Johan Vásquez, César Montes, Edson Álvarez… so the decisions don’t make much sense.”
Alarcón doubled down: “Aguirre has every right to do what he wants. But Israel Reyes can play right back, centerback, even as a holding midfielder. I think he’s already proven his value.”
Ex-director and pundit Ricardo Peláez also questioned Aguirre for calling up Tigres’ Purata over Chivas’ Luis Romo: “I think he wants to see Berterame instead of Ángel Sepúlveda.”
Mario Carrillo insisted: “Luis Romo should be there and should even start. Israel Reyes has shown international quality with América, so he has to be in the squad. And you can’t just erase Tecatito Corona either. On the left you’ve got Jesús Gallardo locked in, but on the right, what’s the plan? Julián Araujo and Jorge Sánchez? Now he’s calling up the Huescas brothers.”
On FOX Sports, criticism centered around the omission of 16-year-old Gilberto Mora, who is currently being considered for Mexico’s U20 World Cup squad.
“In Spain, even Lamine Yamal isn’t always called up – but unlike Barcelona, Mexico doesn’t have that many players of Mora’s level,” argued Raoul Ortiz. “At 16 he’s already showing elite quality. Facing Japan and South Korea would do him more good than the U20 World Cup.”
Gustavo Mendoza added: “If you host a good World Cup, you’ll sell at least five players to Europe. Mora has to be in the senior team conversation.”
Christian ‘Chaco’ Giménez, father of Milan striker Santiago Giménez, also weighed in. “We need to know if there was a conversation between Aguirre and Mora, and whether Mora himself chose to prioritize the U20 World Cup.”
As for Julián Quiñones, pundits pointed out that his form in Saudi Arabia isn’t being valued enough by the coaching staff.
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Goalkeepers: Luis Ángel Malagón, Raúl Rangel, Carlos Moreno
Defenders: Rodrigo Huescas, Jorge Sánchez, César Montes, Johan Vásquez, Juan Sánchez Purata, Jesús Gallardo, Mateo Chávez, Jesús Orozco
Midfielders: Edson Álvarez, Erik Lira, Marcel Ruiz, Carlos Rodríguez, Orbelín Pineda, Erick Sánchez
Forwards: Roberto Alvarado, Diego Lainez, César Huerta, Raúl Jiménez, Santiago Giménez, Hirving Lozano, Alexis Vega, Germán Berterame
AFPTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Among the newcomers, Tigres defender Juan José Sánchez Purata could make his international debut after a strong start to the Liga MX season – though his call-up has been heavily criticized.
Monterrey striker Germán Berterame, who already featured in a previous friendly, is also back in the mix, but it remains unclear whether he will be part of Aguirre’s long-term plans. Meanwhile, the return of Hirving Lozano and the omission of Julián Quiñones also drew criticism from the Mexican media.
AFPWHAT NEXT FOR MEXICO NATIONAL TEAM?
Mexico’s packed friendly schedule kicks off in September, with matches against Japan on Sept. 6 at Oakland Coliseum and South Korea on Sept. 9 at Geodis Park in Nashville.
