Mexico coach Ricardo Lavolpe has finalised his 23-man El Tri World Cup squad after releasing three players from his provisional group of 26.

Two naturalised players - Argentinian-born Guillermo Franco and Brazilian-born Zinha - have been included, although Joel Huiqui, Jaime Lozano and Israel Lopez did not made the final cut.

From Europe, Mexico’s all-time leading goalscorer, Jared Borgetti, who plays for Bolton Wanderers has been chosen along with Villareal’s Guillermo Franco in attack with Omar Bravo.

Huiqui makes way for veteran defender Claudio Suarez, 37, who has impressed the coach after returning to the Mexico national team.

Lozano has found himself increasingly marginalised despite his impressive performances during the qualification process.

All three players have been invited to join the Mexico party to travel to Germany.

Lavolpe's squad will head to France on May 20, with Franco - who plays in Spain with Villarreal - due to join up with his team-mates on May 22 in St Etienne.

They will play a friendly against France in Paris on May 27 and then travel to Eindhoven to face Holland on June 1.

They will then head to Gottingen in Germany, which will be their base for the World Cup.

Mexico have been drawn in Group D alongside Angola, Iran and Portugal.

Mexico's El Tri squad for the World Cup Finals in Germany:

Goalkeepers: Oswaldo Sanchez (Guadalajara/Chivas), Guillermo Ochoa (America), Jesus Corona (UAG/Tecos)

Defenders: Jose Antonio Castro (America), Rafael Marquez (Barcelona), Mario Mendez (Monterrey), Ricardo Osorio (Cruz Azul), Francisco Rodriguez (Guadalajara/Chivas), Carlos Salcido (Guadalajara/Chivas), Claudio Suarez (Chivas USA), Andres Guardado (Atlas), Gonzalo Pineda (Guadalajara/Chivas)

Midfielders: Luis Perez (Monterrey), Pavel Pardo (America), Antonio Naelson (Toluca), Rafael Garcia (Atlas), Gerardo Torrado (Cruz Azul), Ramon Morales (Guadalajara/Chivas)

Strikers: Jared Borgetti (Bolton Wanderers), Guillermo Franco (Villarreal), Francisco Fonseca (Cruz Azul), Omar Bravo (Guadalajara/Chivas), Jesus Arellano (Monterrey).

Bookmark/Search this post with:

delicious | digg | google | yahoo | technorati