As if it were some kind of curse, the Mexican National Team is entering the final stretch before the start of the World Cup with what looks like a full-on hospital ward.
And while only three players are officially confirmed to miss the world’s biggest soccer tournament, there are still several players who might not arrive in their best form. The known absentees are goalkeeper Luis Ángel Malagón (just this week during a Champions Cup match), Marcel Ruiz (torn ACL), and defender Jesús Orozco (a fractured ankle in late 2025).
After Malagón’s injury was confirmed, the very next day Toluca midfielder Marcel Ruíz, part of the club’s back-to-back championship squad, suffered a knee injury during the Champions Cup round-of-16 match against San Diego FC. This Friday the worst was confirmed: Ruíz’s injury turned out to be a torn ACL, devastating news for El Tri, as there are now three players who were locked into the 26-man World Cup squad who will no longer be at the tournament.
It’s highly likely that a couple of the names we’re about to mention won’t make it to the upcoming and final FIFA international window. Mexico will face Portugal on March 28 during the reopening of Estadio Azteca, and Belgium on the 31st in Chicago. Time will tell if they’re fit enough to play in June.
Hooligan took on the task of putting together an XI of Mexican national team players who are currently dealing with injuries or simply not at their best physical condition — something that surely doesn’t bring much peace of mind to head coach Javier Aguirre.
Goalkeeper
Luis Ángel Malagón: The Club América goalkeeper was basically a locked-in name on Javier Aguirre’s World Cup roster. He hadn’t missed a single call-up since “El Vasco” returned to manage the Mexican National Team at the end of 2024 for his third stint in charge of El Tri. Malagón underwent surgery this Thursday and will be sidelined for around six to eight months before he can step back onto a soccer field, meaning his absence from the World Cup is now confirmed.
Defenders
Rodrigo Huescas: The Copenhagen FC full-back from Denmark suffered a serious ACL tear in his right knee on October 1, 2025, during a Champions League match against Qarabağ. Since then he has been going through a long rehabilitation process with the goal of making it to the 2026 World Cup. Although the surgery was successful and he’s currently doing physiotherapy work, his participation remains uncertain, as his return to the field is expected sometime between May and June 2026.
César Montes: The Lokomotiv Moscow center-back left his team’s last match with an injury after feeling discomfort in one of his knees. Luckily, everything seems to have been more of a scare than anything serious. Still, Aguirre will definitely hope Montes arrives at the World Cup at 100 percent, since he and Johan Vásquez are expected to form Mexico’s starting center-back pairing for the tournament.
Jesús Orozco: The Cruz Azul defender fractured his ankle during the Apertura 2025 semifinals against Tigres. Although the surgery went well and he’s currently in recovery, he has already been ruled out of the World Cup.
Mateo Chávez: The left-back dislocated his shoulder a few weeks ago and has missed several matches and call-ups with AZ Alkmaar because of it.
Midfielders
Edson Álvarez: Currently going through rehabilitation after ankle surgery, he still anchors the midfield.
The captain of the Mexican National Team hasn’t had the easiest time lately with Fenerbahçe, and he isn’t expected to be ready for the March FIFA window. His return to the pitch remains uncertain, but he is not expected to miss the World Cup.
Luis Chávez: He also tore his ACL during the 2025 Gold Cup and is one of the players whose recovery timeline leaves the most doubt about whether he’ll be ready in time.
Luis Romo: Dealing with hamstring strain issues, he has missed Chivas’ most recent Liga MX matches.
Gilberto Mora: The young Mexican prospect’s World Cup participation is at risk, as he has spent the past few months dealing with pubalgia that appears to be more serious than initially expected. He chose not to undergo surgery in order to keep his World Cup hopes alive, but the injury still doesn’t look too encouraging.
Marcel Ruíz: It was confirmed this Friday that the midfielder suffered a torn ACL in his knee, meaning he will also miss the World Cup. Very painful news for Javier Aguirre and Mexican football.
Forwards
César Huerta: “Chino” underwent surgery for a pelvic injury at the end of last November and has struggled to regain his rhythm since then.
Santiago Giménez: “Bebote” hasn’t played since October and hasn’t scored since August. The good news, though, is that he has recently returned to training with AC Milan as he continues recovering from his ankle injury.
