SEATTLE - After a group stage exit in the 2022 World Cup, Mexico has been in a rebuilding process with manager Jaime Lozano. "Jimmy" was appointed as caretaker ahead of the 2023 Gold Cup and, after a good performance, he was given the full reigns of the Mexican national team.
A loss against the United States in the CONCACAF Nations League final prompted the manager to look for new faces ahead of a busy summer that might as well define what's next for him at one of the hottest seats in international soccer.
Lozano's 31-man shortlist for Copa América 2024 includes a lot of new blood that will not only hope to get to the top of the continental competition, but also earn a spot in "El Tri's" 2026 World Cup project.
In an attempt to rejuvenate the squad, players such as Guillermo Ochoa, Raúl Jiménez, Hirving Lozano and Henry Martín didn't make the cut. In fact, not a single player surpasses 75 caps for "El Tri."
Mexico's Copa América
Group: B
Best result: Runners-up (twice) in 1993 and 2001
Coach: Jaime Lozano (appointed in June 2023 as caretaker); 8-4-3 W-L-D
Where is Mexico playing?
Mexico will play three friendlies against South American teams before the start of Copa América 2024: the team will face Bolivia, Uruguay and Brazil before making its debut against Jamaica on June 22.
Mexico's Copa America Group Stage
June 22: Mexico vs Jamaica - NRG Stadium, Houston
June 28: Venezuela vs Mexico - SoFi Stadium, Inglewood
July 2: Mexico vs Ecuador - State Farm Stadium, Glendale
Jaime Lozano released a 31-man shortlist with a lot of new names.
31-man list for Copa América
Goalkeepers: LuisÁngel Malagón (América), Raúl Rangel (Chivas), Julio González (Pumas).
Defenders: Israel Reyes (América), Jorge Sánchez (Porto), Brian García (Toluca), César Montes (Almería), Victor Guzmán (Rayados) Alexis Peña (Necaxa), Johan Vásquez (Genoa), Jesús Orozco (Chivas), Gerardo Arteaga (Rayados), Bryan González (Pachuca).
Midfielders: Edson Álvarez (West Ham), Luis Romo (Rayados), Jordan Carrillo (Santos) Erick Sánchez (Pachuca), Orbelín Pineda (AEK Athens), Roberto Alvarado (Chivas), Luis Chávez (Dynamo Moscow), Ángel Montaño (Mazatlán), Fernando Beltrán (Chivas), Carlos Rodríguez (Cruz Azul), Jordi Cortizo (Monterrey).
Attackers: Marcelo Flores (Tigres), César Huerta (Pumas), Julian Quiñones (América), Santiago Giménez (Feyenoord), Alexis Vega (Toluca), Uriel Antuna (Cruz Azul), Guillermo Martínez (Pumas).
Monterrey midfielder Jordi Cortizo will replace Diego Laínez after the Tigres player pulled out of the camp due to an ankle injury. The deadline to submit the final squad ahead of Copa América 2024 is June 15.
Notable absences
Jaime Lozano's list did not include players such as Raúl Jiménez, Hirving 'Chucky' Lozano nor legendary goalkeeper Guillermo 'Memo' Ochoa. The veteran goalie hasn't missed a major tournament for Mexico since the 2021 Gold Cup, when he was playing with the Olympic team in Tokyo.
'Memo' has been Mexico's first-choice goalkeeper since 2014 and ranks third all-time in games played for 'El Tri' with 151 caps. Ochoa was Mexico's goalkeeper the last time they played in the Copa América, crashing out of the quarterfinals in a historic 7-0 loss to Chile.
Player to watch
Santiago Giménez
The Feyenoord striker had another fantastic season in European soccer, scoring 26 goals in 41 games in all competitions. He was the Dutch league's third most prolific goal scorer with 23.
'Santi' made one of his childhood dreams come true this season when he debuted in the UEFA Champions League. He played in four group stage games and scored two goals.
With the absences of Raúl Jiménez and Henry Martín, he will more than likely be the one to lead the line for Mexico during Copa América. The 23-year-old has 25 caps for Mexico so far and has scored four goals, including the winning goal against Panama during the 2023 Gold Cup final.
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