With the 2010 FIFA World Cup less than 4 months away, its time to breakdown the 32 teams that will be participating in The Great Tournament. Next up is the CONCACAF nation of México.


Official Name: Federación Mexicana de Fútbol

Nickname: El Tri

FIFA Confederation: CONCACAF (Central, North America, and Caribbean)

FIFA Code: MEX

How They Qualified: 2nd place in CONCACAF Final stage

World Cup Appearances (Including 2010): 14

Best WC Finish: México 1970 & México 1986, Quarterfinals

World Cup Record (MP: Wins - Draws - Losses): 45: 11W - 12D - 22L

Head Coach: Javier Aguirre

Most Capped Player (# of caps): Claudio Suárez (178)

All-Time Goal Scoring Leader (# of goals): Jared Borghetti (46)

Brief Footballing History:
Historically, México has been the dominant force in CONCACAF despite the recent emergence of the US Soccer. El Tri is the most decorated CONCACAF side and its domestic league is the richest in the region and probably in all of the Americas.

No CONCACAF team has been to more World Cups than México and the Mexicans participated in the 1st World Cup in 1930. El Tri is trying increase its profile outside of CONCACAF with a deep run in South Africa. In recent years, México has scratched the surface of its potential when they won the 1995 FIFA Confederations Cup and its youngsters won the U-17 FIFA World Cup in 2007.

Player To Watch:
The Mexican player to watch was a member of the winning U-17 side in 2007 and has been an important part of Coach Javier Aguirre's plans. Barca fans certainly know him. His name is Giovani Dos Santos.


The 20-year old México-born son of a Brazilian footballer is the present and future of the attacking, creativity part of the Mexican midfield. Under Sven Goran-Eriksson's reign as Mexican coach, Gio was ignored but Aguirre has found a place for him. Dos Santos' youth & athleticism provides an excellent compliment to the experience and deliberate ball handling of Mexican midfield icon Cuauhtémoc Blanco.

Outlook:
El Tri have advanced out of the group stage in the last 4 World Cups and have the talent to do it again. They are in a tough group but can look to 2002 when they won Group G and went unbeaten in a group consisting of Croatia, Ecuador, and Italy.

México's goal is the same as it has been since its last quarterfinal appearance in 1986: Advance to the semifinals. Although few people see El Tri as a serious contender to get to the semis, this tournament is unpredictable and Javier Aguirre has México playing confidently so this could be the year that México makes it.

Final 23-Man WC Roster:
Goalkeepers: Oscar Perez (Chiapas), Guillermo Ochoa (America), Luis Ernesto Michel (Guadalajara).

Defenders: Rafael Marquez (Barcelona), Ricardo Osorio (Stuttgart), Francisco Rodriguez, Carlos Salcido (both PSV Eindhoven), Hector Moreno (AZ Alkmaar), Paul Aguilar (Pachuca), Efrain Juarez (Pumas UNAM), Jonny Magallon (Guadalajara), Jorge Torres Nilo (Atlas).

Midfielders: Andres Guardado (Deportivo La Coruna), Gerardo Torrado (Cruz Azul), Israel Castro (Pumas UNAM), Giovani dos Santos (Galatasaray, on loan from Tottenham); Pablo Barrera (Pumas UNAM),

Forwards: Adolfo Bautista, Alberto Medina (both Guadalajara), Cuauhtemoc Blanco (Veracruz), Carlos Vela (Arsenal), Javier Hernandez (Manchester United), Guillermo Franco (West Ham).

WC Group Schedule:
June 11 vs. South Africa
June 17 vs. France
June 22 vs. Uruguay

The next team preview of Group A sides is Uruguay