From Jiménez to Alvarado: The big-name absentees from Mexico’s October internationals

This Saturday, Mexico’s national soccer team, led by head coach Javier Aguirre, will kick off its FIFA international break with a high-profile friendly against Colombia at the home of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys. The match marks an important step in El Tri’s preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Just a few days later, on Tuesday, Mexico will return home to face Ecuador at Estadio Akron in Guadalajara, Jalisco - the home ground of Chivas. These two matchups against top-tier South American opponents will serve as a litmus test for Aguirre’s squad, which will be missing several key players due to injury.

Injury report: Key absences for El Tri

The first notable absence is Rodrigo Huescas, the FC Copenhagen fullback who suffered a serious right knee injury during a UEFA Champions League match. The former Cruz Azul player has been ruled out for the remainder of the Danish season, and early reports suggest he may miss the World Cup entirely due to a torn ACL and lateral meniscus.

Roberto “El Piojo” Alvarado, a regular in Aguirre’s midfield rotation, is also sidelined. The Chivas playmaker is recovering from a right ankle injury and will not be available for either match.

Raúl Jiménez, the Fulham striker, will miss out as well. The veteran forward took a hard hit to the ribs during Premier League action and has not been cleared to join the national team for this window.

Another significant absence is Edson Álvarez, the Fenerbahçe midfielder, who is nursing muscle soreness. Although he has slowly begun reintegrating with his club, he won’t be risked in these upcoming friendlies.

Finally, Gilberto Mora, the 16-year-old rising star, is unavailable due to his commitment with Mexico’s U-20 squad at the FIFA U-20 World Cup. Mora has been a standout performer, helping guide the team to the quarterfinals, where they’ll face Argentina for a spot in the semis.

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