MEXICO CITY: Mexico coach Gerardo Martino named striker Raul Jimenez in his squad travelling to the World Cup in Qatar despite uncertainty over his fitness.
Due to knee and groyne problems, the 31-year-old has played in just four games for the Premier League team this season. The 26-man roster features Hirving Lozano of Napoli, right-back Jorge Sanchez of Ajax, and veteran goalies Guillermo Ochoa and Alfredo Talavera.
Andres Guardado, a 36-year-old midfielder for Real Betis who will compete in his sixth World Cup, was also called up by manager Gerardo Martino.
Javier Hernandez, the all-time best scorer for Mexico, was left out despite leading LA Galaxy this year with 19 goals in all competitions.
On November 22, Mexico will face Poland to open their World Cup campaign. Later in the group stage, they will play Argentina and Saudi Arabia.
The final two exhibition games for Martino's team will be against Sweden on November 16 and Iraq on November 8. Every one of the last seven World Cups dating back to 1994 has seen El Tri eliminated in the round of 16 of the competition.
Forwards: Hirving Lozano (Napoli), Rogelio Funes Mori (Monterrey), Henry Martin (America), Raul Jimenez (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Alexis Vega (Guadalajara).
Midfielders: Erick Gutierrez (PSV), Orbelin Pineda (AEK Athens), Hector Herrera (Houston Dynamo), Andres Guardado (Real Betis), Roberto Alvarado (Guadalajara), Edson Alvarez (Ajax Amsterdam), Luis Chavez (Pachuca), Luis Romo (Monterrey), Carlos Rodriguez, Uriel Antuna (both Cruz Azul);
Defenders: Jorge Sanchez (Ajax Amsterdam), Kevin Alvarez (Pachuca), Nestor Araujo (America), Johan Vasquez (US Cremonese), Gerardo Arteaga (KRC Genk), Hector Moreno, Cesar Montes, Jesus Gallardo (all Monterrey).
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