World Soccer.—The Mexican National Team is beginning to take shape for its first official match under Rafael Márquez, and the new roster includes several names that did not go unnoticed. Jesús Manuel “Tecatito” Corona and Rodrigo Huescas are back with the Tricolor, while forward Armando León received a call-up that represents one of the most notable moves on the list.
The Mexican coach selected 28 players to compete in the CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinals against Jamaica. The roster combines regulars, players looking to reclaim their spots, and some new faces who will try to make the most of this opportunity at a crucial moment for the national team.
Tecatito Corona Returns After Four Years
One of the most notable returns was that of Jesús Manuel Corona. The Rayados de Monterrey forward returns to the Mexican national team after a four-year absence: his last appearance with the national team was on June 5, 2022.
An injury kept him out of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, and he hadn’t been called up since. Now, at 33 years old and still active in Mexican soccer, he’ll have the chance to once again defend the Tricolor’s jersey.
Another notable return is that of Rodrigo Huescas. The FC Copenhagen defender was left off the roster for more than a year after suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in October 2025. His recovery also prevented him from playing in the 2026 World Cup.
Joining them are Julián Quiñones, who was not included in the previous roster due to muscle discomfort, and Jesús Orozco Chiquete, as well as Alexis Vega and Kevin Álvarez. <Cite refs={["turn959520search1","turn959520search2","turn959520search5"]}/>
Armando León, Rafael Márquez’s Big Surprise
If there’s one name that has piqued fans’ curiosity, it’s Armando León. The 26-year-old forward, originally from Ensenada, Baja California, received his first call-up to the senior Mexican national team thanks to his performances with NK Osijek in Croatia.
His path to European soccer was not exactly easy. He came up through the youth ranks at Pachuca and spent time with León and Alebrijes de Oaxaca before seeking opportunities outside of Mexico.
In Andorra, he found a crucial period for his development as a goal-scorer. With Rangers FC and FC Santa Coloma, he scored around 43 goals in 56 matches—numbers that caught the attention of other clubs.
He currently plays in the Croatian first division and has scored five goals in the 2026–27 season. His performance earned him a spot on the Mexican national team, where he will seek to prove that he can become a valuable option for the Mexican attack. <Cite refs={["turn959520search0","turn959520search2"]}/>
Notable Absences
Márquez’s roster also left out players who are usually included in the call-ups. Henry Martín was not considered, despite his strong performance with América, where he has scored 10 goals this season.
Raúl Jiménez will also be unavailable, as he continues his recovery from knee surgery. Edson Álvarez and Luis Chávez were left off the roster due to circumstances related to their club situations and lack of playing time in European soccer.
Notable among those called up are Santiago Giménez, Julián Quiñones, Alexis Vega, Armando González, and Gilberto Mora, who are part of a squad that will look to rise to the challenge in a highly demanding qualifying series.
When does Mexico play Jamaica?
El Tricolor will compete in the Nations League quarterfinals over two matches. The first leg will take place on November 14 in Kingston, while the second leg will be played on November 17 at the BBVA Stadium in Monterrey.
The series will be particularly important for Rafael Márquez’s tenure, as it will mark the start of his time in official matches. Mexico will look to advance to the next round and secure its spot in the 2027 Gold Cup.
With the return of Tecatito and Huescas, as well as the potential debut of Armando León, the coach will have new options to try to give the national team a boost.
