Mexico's Reality Check: Can El Tri Rebuild Before The 2026 World Cup? | Call It What You Want

The Call It What You Want Crew discuss Mexico's recent performances against USMNT and on the big stage.
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[@ep330]

The answer is no. The federation has been promising changes the past 5 years or more. I don’t expect Mexico getting out of the group stage for the Copa America.

[@rogerarvizu5558]

It’s sad but true

[@sanbell]

The US is over performing in spite of its federation Mexico is underperforming DUE to its federation

[@SubmachineOP]

If nothing changes then I see majority of dual nationals not choose mexico

[@alvarosoriano4724]

i think us federation is functioning well it’s just berhalter that’s issues and it ain’t his fault that us soccer believe him

[@alois482]

emilio azcarraga, america and televisa/univision owner and also family owner of el tri since the 70's, he's the one responsible for the crazy internal mexican market that makes it financially impossible for european teams to buy mexican players. Chiquito Sanchez is worth the same as Toni Kross lol 12 million, that's why less mexican players go to europe, they get paid way more here at age 21

[@samplingmastersxlr8660]

@@alvarosoriano4724 even with a better coach we still lack the talent to taken seriously

[@alvarosoriano4724]

@@samplingmastersxlr8660at least a better coach could hide some issues

[@lobolobo27]

No talent, no leaders, and no federation Other Mexican teams had souls, this team has no soul, no connection, and no drive. Scrap the whole federation and start again. This is a proud footballing nation, but we need to adapt and have the right staff for the transition.

[@miguelinho65]

Exactly, bingo . Bring the relagation back and debut players and a young age and if u can’t leave . Go to Europe danish , Norway don’t matter bc some may qualify to champions league or Europa and then u can exhibit ur skills .

[@anthonytorres3000]

I slightly disagree on talent in the sense that mexico always does well in the youth level and has talented young players. The problem is that they never get opportunities to showcase it with the first teams and national team. They also don't get nurtured and developed well enough. Sadly the national team also has biases when callng up players (hence henry martin starting over Santi and antuna starting games)

[@raulbarron5250]

USA didn’t play the boys who had potential until Klinsmann, PUT SOME RESPECT ON HIS NAME!!!

[@TheSocioPat7786]

I believe that Mexico has the same number of players playing in Europe as Jamaica. Not a lot at all

[@raulbarron5250]

Most in the academies or reserve teams lol

[@Kingofjune90]

Jamaica actually has loads of players playing in English clubs. Mexico has declined on sending players to Europe

[@RDRevolver8282]

I feel they are closer to Canada.

[@noting7678]

Two years is not enough time to develop players

[@BlacknWhiteBadger88]

Unfortunately, there is no end in sight IMO 1) The Mexican Federation isn’t run by the powers that be but run by Televisa, the largest television market in Mexico, and they are NEVER looking out for what’s best for the national team but what’s best for themselves, that’s why you get all these wash ups and has beens constantly on their roster because Televisa will get a cut simply for nostalgia’s sake. Always been this way, always will. Examples? Garcia Aspe, Palencia, and Luis Hernandez on the 2002 WC roster, Borgetti on the 2006 roster, Cuahtemoc, Guille Franco, and for some inexplicable reason Conejo Perez on the 2010 roster (and STARTED games over Ochoa). Perez wasn’t even on the 2006 roster, neither was Blanco. 2) Having said all that, it’ll be even worse this cycle because why? Mexico are already in as one of the host nations, and they won’t have to go through qualifying, meaning it’ll be business as usual and the federation will have even more of an incentive to rest on their laurels and not do a damn thing about it but collect their check. I will be SHOCKED if they manage to do ANYTHING from here on out, whether it’s simply producing a player of any sort or advancing in a tournament.

[@alois482]

Chiquito Sanchez is worth the same as Toni Kross lol 12 million, that's why less mexican players go to europe, they get paid way more at age 21 in Mexico, and teams in mexico sell them at high prices within the internal mexican market so they also make a buck. All of this crazy inflation was caused by having a large number of foreign players in liga mx, good mexican players are over valued and over sold in the internal market and they never leave to europe.

[@MrGA555]

Mexicos youth development is some of the best in the world. You can’t say it isn’t when they’re achieved 3rd place or better in every youth category. The issue is further development. Most stay in Mexico and Liga MX is just not there. I think it’s up there but not a top league. The youth are also WAY over priced. And liga mx teams are hoarders. They keep youth players and bounce them around the second division or smaller teams because they don’t wanna play or sell them. Also, liga mx players are WAY over paid, With the amount that they pay players they could be bringing some top tier talent from Europe. Which would help in developing the league.

[@LazyFingers-oc4xc]

Two problems 1-CORRUPTION 2- The team is controlled by televisa largest Mexican broadcast company. they control EVERYTHING (case in point) Santiago Gimenez he does NOT belong to this group so he DOESN'T PLAY despite being the best Mexican forward.

[@bennettortiz2811]

who does belong to grupo televisa?

[@user-ue8jc5tl9q]

@@bennettortiz2811 their starter Henry Martin plays for club America which is owned by televisa. Quiñones also plays for that club, born in Colombia, he finally got called up to the Mexican team once he joined club america. He is a good player, but without him signing the the club, he won’t play for Mexico

[@bennettortiz2811]

@@user-ue8jc5tl9q i see... thanks for the insight

[@Vegas_Knight]

I see our youth teams playing well against big teams like Argentina, France, and other countries. The problem is that no one gives those young, hungry players a chance. Call them kids to at least friendly games and try them out

[@cjhan9816]

Both 🇺🇸 & 🇨🇦 ⚽️ programs has surpass 🇲🇽.

[@MrGA555]

Definitely not Canada

[@cjhan9816]

@@MrGA555: Yes 🇨🇦 > 🇲🇽, but since I assumed you were not aware for 🇨🇦 won & drawl against 🇲🇽 during 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers.

[@raulbarron5250]

Bad take on there part: Mexico doesn’t produce good center backs… they are the prototype of the modern center back… ask Pep… ask Rafa Marquez… as Moreno or any of the great Mexican center backs…. Their midfield and striker have been bad for some time

[@ms1007901]

We talking about modern day center back, not 20 years ago

[@BlacknWhiteBadger88]

What the hell does that even mean? Center back isn’t going to do anything special or do anything more creative but defend. Having said that, they have Cesar Montes currently, who seems to fit the mold of the “modern day” Center back. Add to that, Paul Aguilar and Miguel Layun were also recent iterations of modern defenders from the full back position that were capable of assisting in the offense as wingbacks. Mexico has been really good at producing Defenders more than any of the other positions.

[@BlacknWhiteBadger88]

@raulbarron5250 Yeah, that is a horrible take. Defenders in general are what Mexico has been the best at producing for a while now. Rafa Marquez, Carlos Salcido, Ricardo Osorio, Maza Rodriguez, Hector Moreno, and now currently with Edson Alvarez and Cesar Montes…. They are a Defender factory.

[@akexcarbajal1715]

@@ms1007901how many US center backs are even at their level? Old man Ream? Atlanta Robinson? Scotland Carter Vickers? Come on Marquez was winning championships and captaining Barca. Edson is following in his footsteps, West Ham is a steping stone

[@raulbarron5250]

@@BlacknWhiteBadger88 I’m agreeing but worded it badly

[@ronaldo5894]

If the federation can clean house, sure. But good luck with that.

[@Kingofjune90]

The head of the federation is corrupt,if they can't remove him ,sadly Mexico is finished

[@samuraijose817]

What they need is to stop criticizing the way the rest if the world plays ball and start learning in a humble manner.

[@waifubreaks1572]

To be honest, everything is fucked and I don't see a light at the end of tunnel. It's like trying to bring a rotting corpse back to life.

[@RDRevolver8282]

I really hope Mexico get back on their feet, and that other CONCACAF nations can to improve too. I really don't want the US to be the only decent nation in the confederation, as fun as it would be.

[@alkyr9946]

Well… Mexico always said that CONCACAF level kept them back and that they needed better opponents. Now it is their chance to prove this was the case. There were always talks of needing to be moved to Conmebol.

[@orlandog2463]

Not enough talent playing in europe. They're too expensive, meaning Liga MX dont want to sell. Too much money at stake within the league, the National team is an afterthought

[@TheDenbagus4usa]

The Mexico team was awesome about 15 to 10 years ago, but now it is in disarray, disconnected from reality, a lot of yellow cards that should be red. The US has so many talents such as Pulisic, McKenny, Tim Weah, Musa, Reyna, Dest, and a lot more, the Mexican team doesn't have even one to be mentioned. The Mexican team usually goes to violence for their frustration against the USMNT.

[@temijinkahn511]

No, with what? From where? Coached by who?

[@akexcarbajal1715]

Yoothis colombian kinda racist, sure mexicans arent tall on average but theyve been able to produce Rafa Marquez and Edson Alvarez which is better than any CB/CDM US has produced. 2nd, athleticism is always a plus in soccer but it is not needed. Japan is a rising star and they are one of the shortest teams in the world on average, similar with Spain.

[@Capt.Magnitude04]

Definitely agree on Marquez. But Edson?? You're tripping 🤣. Marquez, however, is undoubtedly world-class and potentially top 10 greatest CB in world Football.

[@1of196]

shh

[@akexcarbajal1715]

Give Edson time, hes already an anchor at West Ham and debatablely their best signing. He will most likely stay there and probably get a transfer to a bigger team. Hes still getting better, Hes literally the only bright spot in this national team

[@Capt.Magnitude04]

@akexcarbajal1715 Edson is a good player. I can admit that, and I've heard he's doing well at West Ham. However, Adams is undoubtedly the best CM/CDM in the CONCACAF. Weston follows second. A close race between Johnny Soccer and Alvarez for third. We're talking about right now, at the moment, based on the last 4 years and now. Nevertheless, much respect to Alvarez, as he's the only good player y'all have at the moment.

[@jcorona984]

Yes. But will they actually do it? No.

[@bvthepro]

Karma Comes For Them

[@mcdelgado2208]

Everyone in Conmebol: “para comenzar México nunca a jugado bien” 😂🎉

[@fredymendez855]

Conmebol acts like every single one of them has won a world cup and Mexico has been to like 2 copa America finals and had constantly made semifinals . Also the Mexican league has always been better than almost all of south America except Argentina/Brazil. MLS still has not even surpassed the Mexican league as it took them a billion years to even win a concacaf title.

[@beastyboy101bo]

@@fredymendez855 yeah ok says the team that lost 3 straight nations league titles, their leagues might be inferior but they’re producing talent to European teams and making their national teams better. Meanwhile yall have em stuck in a mediocre league and charge an insane price for a kid who isn’t even as good as the guy from Ecuador

[@mcdelgado2208]

@@beastyboy101bo yeah the Mexican leagues sucks too.😂

[@pm1660]

@@fredymendez855 20 years ago budy! Reality is that even Venezuela can beat you now.

[@Kingofjune90]

​@@pm1660Venezuela wont beat Mexico