Official Mexico National Team for September Friendlies

Aguirre announced his 26-man squad as Mexico prepares for friendlies against New Zealand and Canada.

The first game takes place on Saturday 7th September at the Rose Bowl Stadium in California. Three days later, El Tri faces Canada at the AT&T stadium in Texas.

Below is the confirmed squad:

The first noticeable change is that Julio González, who played all three Copa América games, is sidelined for the September games as Alex Padilla of Atletic Bilbao receives his first call-up after impressing in the first two games of the La Liga season in Spain.

Luis Malagón returns to the squad after injury prevented the Club América shot-stopper from featuring in the summer competition as Raúl Rangel keeps his place in the squad.

In defence, Julio Aráujo rejoins the squad after missing out on the Copa América squad. The 23-year-old left Barcelona this summer in favour of a move to the English south coast to join Premier League side AFC Bournemouth. Aráujo replaces the new Cruz Azul signing Jorge Sánchez.

Chivas pair Alan Mozo and Jesús Angulo make their way into the squad as Gallardo also returns to the national setup.

The midfield has three new names from the Copa América with new Monterrey signing Fidel Ambríz, Érik Lira and Sebastián Córdova all making their way into the squad. Erick Sánchez misses out on the final 26, with América struggling to match the form that won them to Liga MX Clausura in May. Joining Sánchez are national captain Edson Álvarez who is returning from a hamstring injury picked up during the Copa América and Chivas' Fernando Beltrán.

Aguirre has decided to shake up the attacking options for September as Henry Martín returns to the squad after leading the line at the Nations League final in March, but was absent for the Copa América. Diego Lainez also rejoins the squad after injury stopped the Tigres forward from playing at the Copa América. The winger joins his club teammate Marcelo Flores who is also a part of the September fixtures.

Uriel Antuna was the Clausura top goalscorer and confirmed a move this week from Cruz Azul to Tigres, but he will be watching from home as Aguirre opted against the 27-year-old. Joining Antuna on the sidelines is Alexis Vega, despite the promising start he and Toluca have had this season.

Reports prior to the announcement suggest that Julián Quiñones would keep his place in the squad, despite a summer move from Club América to Saudi Arabia and that has been the case with the player remaining in the squad.

Noticeable Absentees

- Julio González, Pumas
- Edson Álvarez, West Ham United
- Raúl Jiménez, Fulham
- Hirving Lozano, PSV
- Erick Sánchez, Club América
- Jorge Orozco, Chivas
- Uriel Antuna, Tigres
- Gerardo Arteaga, Monterrey
- Alexis Vega, Toluca

What do you think of the squad ahead of New Zealand and Canada? Let us know!