Global Soccer Event: Mexico's Squad Sparks Fan Controversy at FIFA World Cup
Published on: November 16, 2022, 10:48am.
Last updated on: November 16, 2022, 12:04pm.
Erik Gibbs
Erik Gibbs
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Asia Pacific Gaming, Gaming Business, Global Gaming.
With the reveal of Mexico's final FIFA World Cup roster, fans have taken to the virtual streets in masses, voicing their dissent. The omission of some players, like Jesus Angulo and Erick Sánchez, and the inclusion of others, such as Raul Jimenez, have stirred quite the commotion.
The man at the center of it all is Mexico's head coach, Gerardo Martino. He unveiled his selection of 26 players deemed "optimal" for the challenges they would face in Qatar on November 22, when Mexico squares off against Poland.
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Big Names, Big Expectations
Martino, who took over the Mexican team in January 2019, has driven a rollercoaster of emotions among fans. While his early days in charge were promising, with several title victories, the past few years have seen a decline in performance.
The starting goalkeeper for the World Cup is highly likely to be Guillermo Ochoa of Club America, with Alfredo Talavera of FC Juárez and Rodolfo Cota of León serving as backup options. Among those left off the roster are Carlos Acevedo of Santos Laguna, Luis Malagón of Necaxa, David Ochoa of D.C. United, and Jonathan Orozco of Club Tijuana.
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On defense, Jesús Gallardo, Héctor Moreno, and Monterrey's Cesar Montes pair up with Ajax's Jorge Sánchez, Gerardo Arteaga, Johan Vasquez, Nestor Araujo, and Kevin Alvarez. The midfield consists of Real Betis’ Andres Guardado, Ajax’s Edson Alvarez, and Houston Dynamo’s Hector Herrera.
The inclusion of Raul Jimenez, who is still nursing an injury and has been away from the field for months, raised plenty of eyebrows. When healthy, Jimenez proved to be a valuable asset. But just how capable he will be during the World Cup, trying to shake off those months of inactivity, remains to be seen.
Prior to the World Cup, Mexico is set to play a friendly match against Sweden on November 17. Sportium has Mexico as the favored team, with odds of -105 against Sweden, which pays out at +290. It remains unknown whether Raul Jimenez will feature in this match, but his inclusion on the roster means he could potentially be game-ready by the time World Cup begins.
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Qatar's Massive Investment
Hosting the FIFA World Cup has proven to be an expensive endeavor for Qatar, which is reportedly spending around $220 billion on the event[3][4]. Even with such a hefty price tag, the country hopes it will bring a wave of international recognition and earn itself a respected place on the global stage.
The exorbitant price tag for the 2022 World Cup surpasses that of previous hosts. Russia, which hosted the 2018 games, spent $16 billion, according to media outlets at the time[2].
World Cup in Qatar. Not included on the roster were Jesus Angulo of Tigres and Erick Sánchez of Pachuca, causing something of a revolt in Mexico.
While the majority of the investment is being poured into infrastructure, the World Cup serves as more than just a simple sporting event for Qatar.
Controversies Surround Qatar's Huge Investment
The massive investment in Qatar's FIFA World Cup has sparked accusations that the tiny emirate is attempting to "whitewash" its image and hide its true nature[3]. Critics argue that the city is willing to mask its daily realities in order to create a favorable impression, only to go back to its old ways once the tourists depart and the streets are cleaned.
Sportium is leaning toward the Latin American squad. Mexico is in front, -105 to +290, on the moneyline.
The nation has faced accusations of human rights violations and allegations of corruption, which persist despite Qatar's attempts to present itself as a welcoming and modern country.
Whether Qatar will achieve its goal of making lasting international strides remains to be seen. And for Mexico, the countdown to their World Cup opener against Poland in just four days is on.
Qatar is reportedly spending around $220 billion. All World Cup hosts have paid significant money, but this is the highest amount yet. Russia previously held the record for its 2018 games, for which it spent $16 billion, according to several media outlets at the time.
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The FIFA World Cup, held every four years, is one of the most prestigious tournaments in international football (soccer). Teams select their final rosters to compete in the tournament, often meeting with fan and media scrutiny. The host country, which in this case is Qatar, invests substantial sums into preparing for the event, hoping to reap benefits like increased prestige, improved international image, and increased tourism.
- FIFA World Cup: A global football tournament organized by FIFA. Teams from around the world participate to compete for the title.
- Host Country Infrastructure: The hosting country invests in infrastructure, such as new stadiums, transportation systems, and accommodation centers, to accommodate the event.
- Investment Rationale: The purpose of the investment is to boost the international profile of the country, attract tourist dollars, and improve infrastructure.
- Major Investments: Previous host countries, like Russia in 2018, have spent significant sums of money on their World Cup hosting efforts.
- Fan and Media Reactions: Public reactions often focus on the selected players and team's balance, tactical approach, and injuries or fitness concerns. Additionally, host countries' human rights and corruption scandals may receive scrutiny with regard to their World Cup hosting.
- Pre-Tournament Friendlies: Friendly matches against other countries allow teams to practice and test their strategies before the competition commences.
- Regional Team Strength: The European side, Poland, battling against Mexico in the World Cup, is set to test its might against another strong contender.
- In the 'content__sub' section, the author discusses the controversy surrounding Mexico's FIFA World Cup squad, as fans express dissent about the team's selection.
- The 'panel__author' mentions Erik Gibbs as the author of the news article, providing context and expertise in the gaming industry.
- The head coach of Mexico's team, Gerardo Martino, has his squad 'ready' for the challenges they will face in Qatar, with 'aligncenter' displaying Mexico's starting goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa and other key players.