Aguirre fine-tunes Mexico's starting lineup ahead of World Cup debut

Mexico's national team coach, Javier 'el Vasco' Aguirre, is meticulously refining the starting eleven for the Tri's World Cup opener against South Africa, scheduled for Thursday at the iconic Estadio Azteca.

Aguirre has dedicated significant time during training sessions to observing his goalkeepers. Despite Guillermo Ochoa's extensive experience and upcoming sixth World Cup appearance, Raúl Rangel, the goalkeeper for Guadalajara, appears to be the preferred choice to start against the South Africans. Carlos Acevedo of Santos is reportedly the third option, according to insights from the former Atlético de Madrid coach.

In defense, Johan Vázquez is emerging as the leader of the backline, following his impressive performances with Italian club Genoa. In midfield, Álvaro Fidalgo, an undisputed starter, has showcased his technical skill alongside Colombian player Julián Quiñones. Their strong understanding on the field is partly attributed to their shared history during their time with América in the Mexican league.

The Mexican squad's atmosphere has seen a notable uplift, dispelling previous fan pessimism, especially after their commanding 5-1 victory in their final preparation match against Serbia. The supporters at the Nemesio Díez stadium in Toluca enthusiastically cheered every action of the Mexican team during that game.

A recent addition to the training camp was defender Diego Ochoa, who typically works with the U-23 squad but joined the senior team to aid in preparation. Later in the day, President Claudia Sheinbaum is scheduled to officially present the national team with its flag, marking their participation in the World Cup.