The Mexico national team have announced their 28-man squad for the 2026 Concacaf Nations League quarterfinals against Jamaica, with Rafael Márquez naming several familiar faces and a number of notable returns.
Alexis Vega, Julián Quiñones and Jesús Manuel ‘Tecatito’ Corona headline the returning players, while Armando León has earned his first-ever call-up to the senior national team.
Mexico will begin their training camp on Sunday, November 8, in Mayakoba, Riviera Maya. The squad will remain there until Thursday, November 12, when they travel to Kingston, Jamaica, for the first leg.
Mexico vs Jamaica: Dates, venues and kickoff times
The quarterfinal series will be played over two legs:
First leg: Jamaica vs Mexico
- Date: Saturday, November 14.
- Kickoff: 8:00 PM ET / 5:00 PM PT.
- Mexico City time: 7:00 PM.
- Venue: National Stadium, Kingston, Jamaica.
Second leg: Mexico vs Jamaica
- Date: Tuesday, November 17.
- Kickoff: 9:30 PM ET / 6:30 PM PT.
- Mexico City time: 8:30 PM.
- Venue: Estadio Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico.
Alexis Vega and Tecatito Corona headline Mexico’s returning players
One of the biggest storylines is the return of Alexis Vega, who was left out of Mexico’s previous squad. The Toluca forward had even suggested in an interview that his time with the national team might be coming to an end.
Julián Quiñones is also back after missing the previous international window. Meanwhile, Tecatito Corona returns to the national team setup after approximately four years without a call-up.
In defense, Jesús Orozco Chiquete receives another opportunity after missing the World Cup due to an ankle fracture. Rodrigo Huescas is also back after recovering from an ACL injury that kept him out of the tournament.
Armando León earns his first senior Mexico call-up
One of the biggest surprises in Márquez’s squad is Armando León, the forward currently playing for Croatian club NK Osijek. He receives his first-ever call-up to Mexico’s senior national team.
León’s inclusion may come as a surprise to many Mexican soccer fans, as he is relatively unknown despite his experience abroad. The forward has scored five goals in 12 appearances for NK Osijek this season.
His experience in Mexican soccer has been limited, with just eight Liga MX appearances, all of them coming during his time with Club León. At just 26 years old, León has taken an unusual path in his career, developing his game in Andorra before moving to Croatia, where he is now getting his first opportunity with the senior national team.
Andrés Montaño, the Cruz Azul midfielder, is also included in the squad. He previously represented Mexico in a friendly against Bolivia in 2024, making a brief five-minute appearance.
Mexico’s notable absences
Raúl Jiménez is among the players missing from the squad after undergoing knee surgery. Orbelín Pineda is also absent, with Monterrey scheduled to play a postponed match during the November international window as they fight for a place in the Liga MX playoffs.
Another notable omission is goalkeeper Luis Ángel Malagón. The América shot-stopper has returned to action after suffering an Achilles tendon rupture that ruled him out of the World Cup, but he has not yet been included in Márquez’s plans.
Henry Martín is also missing despite scoring 10 goals in the 2026 Apertura campaign with América.
César Montes, meanwhile, is included in the 28-man squad despite previous concerns surrounding his fitness.
Mexico’s complete 28-man squad for the Jamaica series
Goalkeepers
- Óscar García (León)
- Raúl Rangel (Guadalajara)
- Alex Padilla (Athletic Club)
Defenders
- Rodrigo Huescas (FC Copenhagen)
- Kévin Álvarez (América)
- César Montes (Lokomotiv Moscow)
- Israel Reyes (América)
- Diego Campillo (Guadalajara)
- Johan Vásquez (Genoa)
- Jesús Orozco Chiquete (Cruz Azul)
- Jesús Gallardo (Toluca)
- Mateo Chávez (AZ Alkmaar)
Midfielders
- Gilberto Mora (Club Tijuana)
- Erick Sánchez (América)
- Santiago Sandoval (Guadalajara)
- Erik Lira (Cruz Azul)
- Luis Romo (Guadalajara)
- Obed Vargas (Atlético de Madrid)
- Álvaro Fidalgo (Real Betis)
- Andrés Montaño (Cruz Azul)
Forwards
- Isaías Violante (América)
- Roberto Alvarado (Guadalajara)
- Armando León (NK Osijek)
- Armando González (Olympiacos)
- Santiago Giménez (FC Porto)
- Julián Quiñones (Al-Qadsiah)
- Jesús Manuel Corona (Monterrey)
- Alexis Vega (Toluca)
Mexico will look to overcome Jamaica across the two legs and secure a place in the Concacaf Nations League Final Four.
Alejandro Orellana is an accomplished sports journalist based in Mexico City, known for his incisive coverage of Club América and the Mexican National Team. A graduate of Journalism from Escuela de Periodismo Carlos Septien García, Alejandro brings a deep understanding of sports media to his work. His expertise extends to SEO and content creation, allowing him to produce engaging and discoverable sports narratives. He has contributed as a freelance writer for Goal.com, where he notably conducted interviews with MLS players, further showcasing his comprehensive interviewing skills. Prior to this, Alejandro dedicated five years to ESPN’s production department, contributing to renowned shows including SportsCenter, Futbol Picante, and NFL Live. His insightful articles can be found on platforms such as Deportrece and Hooligan Soccer. Connect with Alejandro on @soyalexorellana and Tik Tok to stay updated with his latest work. His commitment to journalistic integrity ensures every piece offers valuable and trustworthy insights for sports enthusiasts.
