Javier Aguirre’s squad drew 0-0 against Japan in Oakland and salvaged a 2-2 result against South Korea on Tuesday

As Mexico manager Javier Aguirre continues shaping his roster for the 2026 World Cup, a handful of players already look like the backbone of El Tri: Luis Ángel Malagón, Johan Vásquez, Edson Álvarez, and Raúl Jiménez. Others are still fighting to prove they belong in the final 23. The results, draws against Japan and South Korea, may not have met fans’ expectations, but Aguirre made clear that Mexico’s foundation is set.

“I can’t say whether we’re close or far from where we want to be for the World Cup, but after a year, we’ve established a base, we’re on the right track,” Aguirre said. “Good, bad, or average football - that’s for you to judge. My job is to train, to find players for the World Cup, and to give them a clear football identity. We’ve used around 35 players so far, and we’re still searching.”

Against Japan, Mexico lost Álvarez to injury, but his replacement, Erik Lira, impressed. Many observers even argued that El Tri looked sharper with the Cruz Azul midfielder pulling the strings than with the Fenerbahçe veteran in charge.

In Nashville, Jiménez ended his scoring drought with goal No. 43 for Mexico, moving into third on the country’s all-time scoring list and reminding everyone of his quality as a veteran striker. Fellow forward Santiago Giménez also eased the pressure on himself with a stunning stoppage-time strike to seal a 2-2 draw against South Korea.

Not everyone left camp on a high. San Diego FC’s Hirving Lozano, in his first call-up in more than a year, failed to make an impact in either match. Goalkeeper Raúl Rangel also had little to show as South Korea’s attackers exposed him on both goals.

With FIFA windows still to come in October, November and March - just before World Cup call-ups begin - Mexico’s roster should soon look far more defined. By then, fans and observers will have a much clearer sense of what “Vasco” plans to field in the June 11 opener. Some players moved closer to securing their spots with these performances. Others will be left wondering if they did enough. So, who stood out? Whose stock rose, and whose fell? GOAL takes a look.