FCBARCELONA.CAT

31.05.2010 12:25

Barca’s World Cup: México (V)

Jesús Carrillo

Rafa Marquez is the only Barca player to be included in Javier Aguirre’s 23-man squad. The Kaiser of Michoacán will be playing in his third World Cup finals. Mexico are in the same group as South Africa, France and Uruguay.

It’s likely to be a tough group with France and Uruguay having the World Cup pedigree to claim one of the top two places while, as host nation, South Africa will surely have plenty to say.

Inaugural match

Mexico will meet South Africa in the opening game of the tournament on 11th June in Johannesburg, the first time the two countries have met in the World Cup finals. The real test however, will come on 17th when Mexico play France – a chance for Marquez to measure up against Henry and Abidal. France and Mexico have met three times before - in 1930, 1954 and 1966 - but Mexico have never managed a win

The final group game is between Mexico and Uruguay. They have only met once before at this level – in 1966 in Wembley (0-0).

A World Cup regular

This will be Mexico’s fifth appearance in the World Cup finals. On the four previous occasions they have been eliminated in the R16, losing out to Argentina and USA respectively in 2006 and 2002.

Their best showing was in 1986 when as host nation they reached the quarterfinals.

Jonathan dropped from final list

In the end, FC Barcelona’s Jonathan Dos Santos has been dropped from Aguirre’s final list of 23 players. However, brother Giovanni has made the cut.