Raúl Jiménez Co-Headlining Mexico’s 23-Player Roster for Upcoming Concacaf Nations League Matches

Raúl Jiménez is preparing for Nations play…

Mexico national team head coach Javier Aguirre has announced the 23-player roster for the upcoming Concacaf Nations League matches during the March international window, with the 33-year-old Mexican professional footballer and Santiago Gimenez headlining the squad.

Raúl Jiménez,Aguirre’s side will face Canada in the semifinal on March 20 at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, before going on to face either the United States or Panama in the final or match for third place.

Mexico called up key figures that have been staples of the national team in recent competitions, including West Ham United‘s Edson Álvarez, Club America goalkeeper Luis Angel Malagon and Genoa‘s Johan Vazquez.

But the head coach surprised fans with the inclusion of Tijuana forward Efrain Alvarez and FC Copenhagen‘s Rodrigo Huescas.

The manager left out historic players like Guillermo Ochoa and Henry Martín, making way for new players to shine. New San Diego FC player Hirving Lozano also failed to make the 23-player roster after suffering a muscular injury in the team’s home opener on March 1.

Lozano was also left out of the rosters for Mexico’s Nations League quarterfinal series in November and friendlies in January due to injuries.

The Nations League semifinal and subsequent match serve as one of few competitive opportunities for Mexico on the road to the 2026 World Cup, given the team’s automatic spot in the international tournament as one of three co-hosts.

El Tri will also participate in the Gold Cup throughout the summer as preparation.

To further prepare for the World Cup, Mexico has lined up friendlies against Switzerland and Turkey in June.

Héctor Herrera Named to Mexico’s 24-Man Roster for Upcoming U.S.-Based Friendlies

Héctor Herrera is back on the roster…

Mexico has announced the 24-man roster that will take part in U.S.-based friendlies against Australia on September 9 in Dallas and Uzbekistan three days later in Atlanta, with the 33-year-old Mexican professional footballer making the list.

Héctor Herrera The first-ever roster selection for new manager Jaime “Jimmy” Lozano is highlighted by the return of the veteran Houston Dynamo midfielder and Fulham forward Raúl Jiménez, both of whom were recently left out of the Mexico squad that won the Gold Cup this summer.

Elsewhere in September’s squad, marquee names and usual call-ups for Mexico such as Salernitana‘s Guillermo Ochoa, Feyenoord‘s Santiago Giménez and West Ham United‘s Edson Álvarez made the cut.

New faces that earned first-ever call-ups for Mexico’s senior team include ChivasJesus Orozco, Monterrey‘s Jordi Cortizo and PumasCesar Huerta.

Colombian-born winger Julian Quiñones was not included in the call-up, but Lozano noted earlier on Monday that the Club America player has already committed to a switch to Mexico, pending paperwork.

“It wasn’t our convincing, this was an own decision and we accept it, we validate it, and we are very proud to have a player like Julian Quiñones,” said El Tri‘s coach earlier this week. “His professional career as a soccer player, nearly all of it was developed in Mexico.

“He’s been here for many years, he’s very grateful to the country for the opportunity it provided.”

Due to ongoing trades and moves, Mexico’s coach also said that a few noteworthy players would be left out of the team.

Names like Hirving “Chucky” Lozano, who is set to undergo a medical with PSV Eindhoven ahead of a move from NapoliJorge Sánchez, announced as a Porto addition on Tuesday, Jesus “Tecatito” CoronaCésar MontesGerardo Arteaga and Luis Chávez, who debuted with Dynamo Moscow on Tuesday, were left out of the squad.

Serving as interim coach during Mexico’s Gold Cup-winning run in July, Lozano was given the permanent role earlier in August. September’s roster marks the first selection made by Lozano after previously leading the Gold Cup squad that was chosen by former coach Diego Cocca.

Mexico’s 24-man roster

Goalkeepers: Angel Malagon (Club America), Guillermo Ochoa (Salernitana), Jose Antonio Rodríguez (Club Tijuana)

Defenders: Kevin Álvarez (Club America), Gilberto Sepúlveda (Chivas), Jesus Orozco (Chivas), Jesús Gallardo (Monterrey), Johan Vásquez (Genoa), Julián Araujo (Las Palmas), Jesús Angulo (Tigres)

Midfielders: Carlos Rodríguez (Cruz Azul), Roberto Alvarado (Chivas), Hector Herrera (Houston Dynamo), Luis Romo (Monterrey), Jordi Cortizo (Monterrey), Érick Sánchez (Pachuca), Edson Alvarez (West Ham), Sebastian Cordova (Tigres)

Forwards: Alexis Vega (Chivas), Santiago Gimenez (Feyenoord), Raul Jimenez (Fulham), Uriel Antuna (Cruz Azul), Orbelín Pineda (AEK Athens), Cesar Huerta (Pumas)

Fulham F.C. Agrees to Deal with Wolverhampton Wanderers to Sign Raul Jimenez

Raul Jimenez is switching sides…

Fulham F.C. has agreed to a £5 million ($6.42m) deal with the Wolverhampton Wanderers to sign the 32-year-old Mexican professional footballer, according to ESPN.

Raul JimenezJimenez is set to finalize personal terms, and a medical is expected to take place early next week.

Fulham’s interest comes amid ongoing uncertainty over the future of Aleksandar Mitrovic, who is not available for selection after being frustrated at being denied a move away from the club.

The Serbia forward is keen on joining Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal, who’ve had a £25m bid rejected with Fulham valuing him in excess of £50m.

Jimenez has been at Wolves since 2018 — initially on loan from Benfica before joining permanently a year later — and was later sidelined for nine months after fracturing his skull during a game against Arsenal in 2020.

Fulham boss Marco Silva had on Saturday expressed his frustration at the club’s lack of signings this summer, but Jimenez is now close to becoming their first arrival.

Hirving “Chucky” Lozano Among Players Called Up by Mexico for World Cup Qualifiers vs. U.S., Canada

Hirving “Chucky” Lozano is getting called up…

The 26-year-old Mexican professional footballer, who plays for Napoli, will headline a strong squad when Mexico faces its last World Cup qualifiers of 2021.

Hirving "Chucky" LozanoLozano will be joined by Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Raul Jimenez and 24 other players by Mexico manager Gerardo “Tata” Martino to face the United States and Canada for two tough road games to close out their 2021 schedule.

El Tri will face the Stars and Stripes on November 12 in Cincinnati before facing off against the Canadians four days later in Edmonton.

In total, Martino named eight Europe-based players to the squad, with Lozano, Jimenez and Porto winger Jesus “Tecatito” Corona once again expected to head Mexico’s attack.

Atletico Madrid‘s Hector Herrera was also recalled, along with veteran central midfielder Andres Guardado (Real Betis).

Edson Alvarez (Ajax), fresh off qualifying to the Round of 16 in the UEFA Champions League, is another star named to Martino’s squad.

Johan Vasquez (Genoa) and Nestor Araujo (Celta Vigo) are expected to anchor the central defense.

Among those who’ll miss out on this window include Betis winger Diego Lainez and Genk defender Gerardo Arteaga. Lainez has been slowly coming back into the fold for Betis after an injury sidelined him for the first months of the season.

Arteaga, on the other hand, has featured regularly for the Belgian side but has reportedly received the ire of Martino for declining a previous call-up. In Arteaga’s absence, Liga MX stars Luis Rodriguez (Tigres) and Jorge Sanchez (Club America) are expected to start in the full-back positions.

Veteran goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa (Club America) heads the goalkeeping position, along with Rodolfo Cota (Leon) and Alfredo Talavera (UNAM).

Other Liga MX-based forwards named to the team include Rogelio Funes Mori (Monterrey) and Henry Martin (Club America).

With 14 points in six matches, Mexico currently sits first in CONCACAF‘s final round of World Cup qualifying, three more than second-place U.S. and four more than Canada.

Raul Jimenez Signs Contract Extension with Wolverhampton Wanderers

Raul Jimenez will be doing some more Wander-ing in the near future…

The 29-year-old Mexican professional footballer has signed a new contract with Wolverhampton Wanderers that’ll see him stay with the Premier League club until 2024.

Jimenez moved to the Wolves team from Benfica in 2018 and has since scored 46 times in 103 appearances.

“I am delighted to be here and to be at this great club,” he said. “Since I was a little boy, I just wanted to play, I wanted to enjoy it, live it, and that’s why I am here for.

Jimenez signs a contract extension amid interest from a number of clubs from across Europe for the player’s signature.

“It didn’t take much persuading. It was easy for me to say yes because since the beginning, this is what I was looking for,” Jimenez said.

“They [Wolves] give me all the confidence and the opportunity to be an important guy at the front, and that’s what I was looking for when I arrived into Europe, and I’m very happy to continue at this club.”

The player has been crucial in manager Nuno Espirito Santo‘s success at Wolves, with the club qualifying for the Europa League in their first season back in the top flight.

“The last two seasons we have given very good performances, so I knew this club has something special and I’m part of a big family here,” he said.

“I think Wolves are getting the best out of me, and I’m giving Wolves my best football, but they are giving the best to me too.”

This season the forward has featured three times managing to score twice in the Premier League so far.