FIFA U-17 World Cup: Mexico arrive after practice camp in Spain

KOLKATA: Two-time champions Mexico arrived here today after a pre-conditioning camp in Spain for the FIFA U-17 World Cup, beginning October 6.

The 21-member El Tri were accompanied by a strong 16member support staff including chief coach Mario Arteaga.

Mexico, who open their campaign against Asian champions Iraq on March 8, were the last to arrive here from the Group F teams.

Last edition's semifinalists Mexico have been one of the most consistent sides of the U-17 World Cup since the turn of the century winning titles in Peru in 2005 and at home seven years later. They were also runners-up in 2013 only to go down 0-3 to their nemesis Nigeria who also eliminated them in the semis in Chile in 2015.

With no Nigeria this time, the seven-time CONCACAF champions will be one of the favourites as it remains to be seen how the Arteaga's boys cope with the unfamiliar Indian conditions.

Mexico Squad

Goalkeepers: Víctor André Alcaráz Díaz, César Iván López De Alba (Guadalajara); César Rafael Ramos Becerra (Monterrey).

Defenders: Alan Maeda Luevanos (Santos), Luis Alejandro Olivas Salcedo (Guadalajara), Oscar Haret Ortega Gatica (América), Carlos Alejandro Robles Jiménez (Atlas), Adrián Vázquez Hernández (Pachuca), Sergio Villarreal Lozano (Monterrey), Raúl Martín Sandoval Zavala (Tijuana).

Midfielders: Luis Javier Gamíz Ávila (Tijuana), Carlos Eduardo Guerrero Zavala (Leon), Alexis Hazael Gutiérrez Torres (Guadalajara), Diego Laínez Leyva (América), Deivoon Alexander Magaña Rico (Guadalajara), Jesús Andrés Pérez Álvarez (Querétaro), Marco Antonio Ruíz Zarco (Atlas).

Forwards: Ían Jairo Misael Torres Ramírez (Atlas), Roberto Carlos De la Rosa González (Pachucha), César Saúl Huerta Valera (Guadalajara), Daniel Guadalupe López Valdez (Tijuana).