The Mexican team will face Suriname this Thursday, in Paramaribo, at the beginning of the era of Argentine Diego Cocca as coach for the 2026 World Cup.
After the failure in Qatar 2022, in which the Mexicans were eliminated in the first round following seven consecutive World Cups present in the round of 16, Cocca was chosen as coach, with the task that the ‘tri’ be the protagonist in the next World Cup.
Being one of the three venues for the fair, Mexico is classified for the 2026 tournament and Cocca will only have the option of preparing the team for the Copa América, the Gold Cup and other competitions, by not taking part in the tie .
Cocca’s path at the helm of Mexico will begin this Thursday in the Concacaf Nations League, in which his team, fifteenth in the FIFA ranking, will visit the Surinamese, located in 139th place in the ranking.
Cocca will take over that game and next Sunday’s once morest Jamaica with a majority of players from the local league and five figures involved in European leagues: defenders Julián Araújo, from Barcelona B; Gerardo Arteaga, from the Belgian Genk; and Johan Vásquez, from the Italian Cremonese; midfielder Erick Gutiérrez, from PSV; and striker Santiago Giménez, from Feyenoord, both from the Dutch league.
The Mexicans are in second place in their group with a win, a draw and four points, one less than leader Jamaica, who has one more game.
Led by Argentine Gerardo Martino, Mexico defeated Suriname 3-0 at home and drew 1-1 on their visit to Jamaica, which they will host on Sunday, at the close of group A actions.
Led by Aron Winter, the Surinamese will try to impose conditions at the Frank Essed Stadium to close the tournament in the best way, following being beaten 3-1 by Jamaica and 3-0 by Mexico as visitors, and drawing at home 1 -1 with Jamaica.
With a midfield led by MLS Los Angeles Galaxy’s Kelvin Leerdam and striker Gleofilo Vlijter, the Surinamese will try to hurt Mexico, although coach Winter will only try to attack following guaranteeing the defense.
– Probable lineups:
Suriman: Joey Roggeveen; Shaquille Pinas, Damil Dankerlui, Ridgeciano Haps, Myenty Abena; Kelvin Leerdam, Roscello Vlijter, Diego Viseswar, Kenneth Paal; Yanick Wildschut, Sheraldo Becquer.
Coach: Aron Winter.
Mexico: Carlos Acevedo; Kevin Alvarez, Nestor Araujo, Jesus Angle, Gerardo Artega; Fernando Beltran, Eric Sanchez, Uriel Antuna, Carlos Rodriguez, Eric Gutierrez; James Gimenez.
Coach: Diego Cocca.
Referee: To be appointed.
Estadio: Frank Essed Stadium, and Paramaribo.
