Mexico vs Saudi Arabia World Cup lineup, starting 11 for Group C match at Qatar 2022

David Lynch

Mexico vs Saudi Arabia World Cup lineup, starting 11 for Group C match at Qatar 2022 image

Saudi Arabia and Mexico go into their final Group C game knowing that they both still have a chance of progressing to the knockout stages of the World Cup.

In the case of the Mexicans, they will have to show a vast improvement on the performances that have seen them pick up just one point from their two games so far.

As for Saudi Arabia, they will be hoping to recapture the spirit of the shock win over Argentina with which they kicked off this tournament.

Below are the confirmed lineups for both teams ahead of a massive World Cup clash.

Mexico vs Saudi Arabia lineups

Gerardo Martino has refused to blame his strikers for Mexico's failure to find the back of the net across their two World Cup outings thus far.

El Tri are goalless in 180 minutes in Qatar, and need to end that dry spell if they are to have any chance of reaching the knockout stages.

But Martino has defended his goal-shy attackers, saying: "Right now, this is serious because we need to score in the game tomorrow. What happened during the last year was due to different reasons, as we had our attacking players facing physical issues.

"Some of them are in good condition at the World Cup, but this is not just about attackers. We all share our responsibilities. It is up to the whole team, not just certain positions."

MORE: Mexico vs Saudi Arabia prediction, odds, betting tips and best bets

Saudi Arabia starting 11

Saudi Arabia (4-3-2-1, right to left): 21. Al-Owais (GK) — 2. Al-Ghanam, 4. Al-Amri, 17. Tambakti 5. Al-Boleahi — 12. Abdulhamid, 15. Ali Al-Hassan, 23. Kanno  —9. Al-Buraikan, 10. Al-Dawsari — 11. Al-Shehri

  • Injured: Al-Shahrani, Al-Burayk, Al-Faraj
  • Suspended: Al-Malki

Saudi Arabia are without Yasser Al-ShahraniMohammed Al-Burayk and Salman Al-Faraj for this one due to injuries.

They will also be denied the services of midfielder Abdulelah Al-Malki after he picked up a second yellow card last time out. Ali Al-Hassan comes in to replace him.

MORE: World Cup 2022 standings: Live updated table, points for every group in Qatar

Mexico starting 11

Mexico (4-3-3, right to left): 13. Ochoa (GK) — 19. Sanchez, 3. Montes, 15. Moreno, 23. Gallardo — 17. Pineda, 4. Alvarez, 24. Chavez — 22. Lozano, 20. Martin, 10. Vega

  • Injured: None
  • Suspended: None

Henry Martin retains his place in attack despite suggestions Rogelio Funes Mori might have been in line for a start.

Mexico return to a 4-3-3 shape, with Orbelin Pineda coming into the midfield at the expense of Andres Guardado. 

Saudi Arabia vs Mexico World Cup squads

Here are the names on Saudi Arabia and Mexico's World Cup squad lists in Qatar (caps correct as of start of Qatar 2022):

Saudi Arabia World Cup squad

PositionNo.PlayerClubAgeCaps
GK21Mohamed Al-OwaisAl Hilal (KSA)3133
GK22Nawaf Al-AqidiAl Nassr (KSA)220
GK1Mohammed Al-YamiAl Ahli (KSA)257
DEF13Yasser Al-ShahraniAl Hilal (KSA)3061
DEF5Ali Al-BoleahiAl Hilal (KSA)3228
DEF4Abdulelah Al-AmriAl Nassr (KSA)2513
DEF3Abdullah MaduAl Nassr (KSA)2912
DEF17Hassan TambaktiAl Shabab (KSA)2311
DEF2Sultan Al-GhannamAl Nassr (KSA)2817
DEF6Mohammed Al-BuraykAl Hilal (KSA)3028
DEF12Saud AbdulhamidAl Hilal (KSA)2314
MID7Salman Al-FarajAl Hilal (KSA)3356
MID26Riyadh SharahiliAbha (KSA)292
MID15Ali Al-HassanAl Nassr (KSA)259
MID23Mohamed KannoAl Hilal (KSA)2825
MID8Abdulelah Al-MalkiAl Hilal (KSA)2816
MID16Sami Al-NajeiAl Nassr (KSA)2514
MID14Abdullah OtayfAl Hilal (KSA)3037
MID24Nasser Al-DawsariAl Hilal (KSA)238
MID20Abdulrahman Al-OboodAl Ittihad (KSA)271
MID10Salem Al-DawsariAl Hilal (KSA)3153
MID19Hattan BahebriAl Shabab (KSA)3030
FWD0Fahad Al-MuwalladAl Shabab (KSA)2862
FWD25Haitham AsiriAl Ahli (KSA)214
FWD11Saleh Al-ShehriAl Hilal (KSA)2910
FWD9Firas Al-BuraikanAl Fateh (KSA)2220

Mexico World Cup squad

PositionNo.PlayerClubAgeCaps
GK12Rodolfo CotaClub Leon (MEX)358
GK13Guillermo OchoaClub America (MEX)37132
GK1Alfredo TalaveraFC Juarez (MEX)4040
DEF26Kevin AlvarezPachuca (MEX)238
DEF2Nestor AraujoClub America (MEX)3163
DEF6Gerardo ArteagaGenk (BEL)2417
DEF23Jesus GallardoMonterrey (MEX)2879
DEF3Cesar MontesMonterrey (MEX)2531
DEF15Hector MorenoMonterrey (MEX)34128
DEF19Jorge SanchezAjax (NED)2426
DEF4Johan VasquezCremonese (ITA)237
DEF4Edson AlvarezAjax (NED)2459
MID24Luis ChavezPachuca (MEX)269
MID18Andres GuardadoReal Betis (SPA)36180
MID14Erick GutierrezPSV (NED)2734
MID16Hector HerreraHouston Dynamo (USA)37102
MID8Carlos RodriguezCruz Azul (MEX)2537
MID7Luis RomoMonterrey (MEX)2727
FWD17Orbelin PinedaAEK Athens (GRE)2650
FWD25Roberto AlvaradoChivas (MEX)2432
FWD21Uriel AntunaCruz Azul (MEX)2537
FWD11Rogelio Funes MoriMonterrey (MEX)3116
FWD9Raul JimenezWolves (ENG)3197
FWD22Hirving LozanoNapoli (ITA)2760
FWD20Henry MartinClub America (MEX)2927
FWD10Alexis VegaChivas (MEX)2423

David Lynch

David Lynch is a freelance football journalist primarily covering Liverpool FC. He has reported on the the Reds for over a decade for publications such as the Sunday Mirror and Evening Standard, carving out a reputation as a trusted voice on all things Anfield in the process. Having followed Liverpool across England and Europe over the course of his career, David has filed from illustrious venues such as Camp Nou, the Allianz Arena and the Estadio do Dragao, as well as from multiple Champions League finals.