The Mexico U-17 national team has finalized its 21-player squad for the FIFA U-17 World Cup. Mexico will be looking to capture its third world title under head coach Jurgen Castañeda. The tournament will take place in Doha, Qatar, from November 19 to December 13, and the Mexican squad features several promising young talents.
Da’vian Kimbrough
One of the biggest talking points is Da’vian Kimbrough, a forward who holds both Mexican and American citizenship. Despite interest from the United States national team, the young attacker has decided to represent Mexico at the tournament.
The FC Dallas prospect will be one of Mexico’s attacking options during the competition. Kimbrough has attracted considerable attention in recent years, emerging as one of the most promising prospects in both the Mexican and American youth systems. In fact, the 16-year-old has reportedly caught the attention of Real Madrid, with the Spanish giants monitoring his development as a potential future signing.
As part of his development with FC Dallas, Kimbrough plays in MLS NEXT Pro with North Texas SC. This season, he has scored one goal in seven appearances. Standing at 5-foot-11, he has also produced impressive numbers with Mexico’s youth teams.
Kimbrough has occasionally faced criticism for previously representing both Mexico and the United States at youth level. With El Tri’s U-15 squad, he recorded 10 goals in 12 appearances. He later scored three goals in eight matches with the U-16 team. The Qatar tournament will mark his first appearance with Mexico’s U-17 side. Meanwhile, with the United States U-16 youth team, he made five appearances and scored twice.
However, with the United States also participating in this U-17 World Cup, Kimbrough had to choose one. And the forward opted to wear Mexico’s colors in Qatar.
Kimbrough’s inclusion represents a significant achievement for the Mexican Football Federation’s youth development program, led by Andrés Lillini. Bringing a prospect of his caliber into a World Cup squad is undoubtedly a positive step for Mexican soccer. It remains to be seen whether the forward will continue representing Mexico as he progresses toward senior international football.
Matthew Arena
Another MLS player who will represent Mexico in Qatar is Matthew Arana, a forward with the Houston Dynamo who also holds dual nationality.
Despite being just 16 years old, Arana has already made his MLS debut. He has appeared in eight matches for Houston’s first team but has yet to score. In MLS NEXT Pro, he has featured in 15 games this season, recording two goals and two assists. If his development continues on its current trajectory, it may only be a matter of time before he starts making a bigger impact with the Dynamo’s senior squad.
Arana made history several months ago when he became the youngest Mexican player ever to make his MLS debut, doing so at just 15 years old.
His international situation is somewhat different from Kimbrough’s. Although he also holds dual nationality and could potentially represent the United States, Arana has exclusively played for Mexico at youth level. As a result, he has shown a clearer commitment to the Mexican national team.
Jonathan de la Fuente Trancoso
Another name worth watching is Jonathan de la Fuente Trancoso, a 17-year-old central midfielder signed to the Colorado Rapids. De la Fuente has already been included on the first team’s bench for MLS matches, although he is still waiting to make his senior debut. In MLS NEXT Pro, he has played 14 matches this season, scoring twice and providing two assists, impressive numbers for a player of his age.
His development reflects the opportunities available to young players through MLS’s youth development system. De la Fuente began his international career with Mexico’s U-16 team and has since made five appearances for the U-17 side. Like Arana, despite holding dual nationality, he has chosen to represent Mexico.
Marcelo Ávalos
Finally, Marcelo Ávalos Simonardottir, a goalkeeper with the San Jose Earthquakes, completes the list of MLS-based prospects. His background is particularly interesting: he has a Mexican father and an Icelandic mother. The 16-year-old stands at 6-foot-2 and is currently developing within the MLS NEXT Pro system as he works toward a potential move to the first team.
Ávalos has had fewer opportunities at club level this season, making just one appearance in MLS NEXT Pro. Of the four players discussed here, his development at the professional level is perhaps the least advanced.
Like De la Fuente, Ávalos participated in the CONCACAF Under-17 Championship, where he represented Mexico in three matches as the team’s goalkeeper.
Who Is on Mexico’s Squad for the 2026 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar?
Jurgen Castañeda’s squad consists of three goalkeepers, six defenders, seven midfielders and five forwards. The roster includes players from several Liga MX clubs, as well as young talents competing abroad. Here is the complete list of players selected to represent Mexico at the 2026 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar:
Goalkeepers
- José Corona Rivas (Tijuana)
- Marcelo Ávalos Simonardottir (San Jose Earthquakes)
- Johan Cuenca Cuevas (Tigres)
Defenders
- Adonai Valdez Cossio (América)
- André Godínez Saucedo (Chivas)
- Gerson Gutiérrez Gastélum (Chivas)
- Alan Hernández Luna (León)
- Dylan Martínez Amezcua (Necaxa)
- Álvaro Velázquez Oregel (Monterrey)
Midfielders
- Miguel de Jesús Rivera Cárdenas (América)
- Ángel Reyes Zapata (Atlético San Luis)
- Jesús Orduño Uribe (Tijuana)
- Jonathan de la Fuente Trancoso (Colorado Rapids)
- Saulo Tejeda Sentíes (Dinamo Zagreb)
- Juan Carlos Martínez Jr. (Querétaro)
- Santiago Cisneros Andrade (León)
- Edy Lugo Berzosa (Monterrey)
Forwards
- Da’vian Kimbrough (Sacramento Republic)
- Matthew Arana Ibarra (Houston Dynamo)
- Adán Sánchez Muzquiz (Monterrey)
- Fernando Ruiz Campos (Toluca)
Mexico’s Schedule and Preparation for the 2026 FIFA U-17 World Cup
Mexico has been drawn into Group K alongside Romania, Cameroon and Venezuela. El Tri will begin its campaign on November 21 and will play three matches during the group stage.
Mexico’s group-stage schedule is as follows:
- November 21: Mexico vs. Romania
- November 24: Mexico vs. Cameroon
- November 27: Mexico vs. Venezuela
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.
