Introduction
Despite not being in the best phase for exporting Mexican football talents to Europe, over 10 national players have started a new season in the Old Continent with a clear goal: to make it into Javier Aguirre’s squad for the 2026 World Cup. Raúl Jiménez stands out as the leading figure.
Current Mexican Players in Europe
At the beginning of the 2025-26 season, there are more than 15 Mexican footballers in Europe across first and second-division clubs. However, 12 of them have the closest chances to be part of Aguirre’s squad.
- Raúl Jiménez
- Santiago Giménez
- Edson Álvarez
- Johan Vásquez
- Orbelín Pineda
- César Huerta
- César Montes
- Rodrigo Huescas
- Mateo Chávez
- Julián Araujo
- Álex Padilla
Luis Chávez is also part of this group but is recovering from a knee ligament injury, limiting his playing time before the World Cup.
First-Line Players
Daniel Reyes Villaseñor, TUDN’s European correspondent, categorizes the following players as having a solid spot in Mexico’s national team:
- Raúl Jiménez
- Santiago Giménez
- Edson Álvarez
- Johan Vásquez
- César Montes
- Orbelín Pineda
- César Huerta
- Rodrigo Huescas
- Luis Chávez (if recovered)
Raúl Jiménez, the most experienced among them, is expected to perform well after his previous showings with the national team. He had a successful season with Fulham and is aiming for his fourth World Cup appearance since 2014. He’s also the top scorer under Aguirre’s management with nine goals.
Second-Tier Players
Julián Araujo, Álex Padilla, and Mateo Chávez make up the second group. They need to prove their worth and secure starting positions in their clubs before being considered for the World Cup squad.
- Julián Araujo: Plays in the Premier League but isn’t a guaranteed starter for Bournemouth. He had an injury last season that limited his playing time.
- Álex Padilla: Is a substitute for Athletic Bilbao.
- Mateo Chávez: Participated in the Gold Cup 2025, but his team, AZ Alkmaar, is trying to qualify for the Conference League. Securing a spot in European competition would significantly boost his chances of making the Mexico squad.
Impact of European Experience
Reyes Villaseñor highlights two key advantages that European experience can bring to Mexico’s national team:
- Physical development: Players often undergo significant physical changes due to the more intense training regimens in Europe.
- Tactical understanding: European footballers generally have a better grasp of tactics, which becomes evident as soon as they step onto the field. The fast-paced and dynamic nature of European football further enhances their adaptability.
Mexico has had the following number of European-based players in the last five World Cups:
- 9 in Qatar 2022
- 11 in Russia 2018
- 8 in Brazil 2014
- 9 in South Africa 2010
- 3 in Germany 2006
For the 2026 World Cup, only one Mexican player has been sold to Europe so far this summer: Mateo Chávez from Chivas to AZ Alkmaar. Álex Padilla moved from Pumas to Bilbao, but since he was born in Spain and developed his skills there, this transfer is more of a return to his football home.
—What differences can European-based Mexican players bring to the national team in the 2026 World Cup?
Reyes Villaseñor emphasizes two significant advantages: physical development and tactical understanding. European football’s intensity and focus on tactics provide Mexican players with valuable experience, which can positively impact the national team’s performance.
