This piece examines players who were not born in the country and how their journeys intersect with Mexico’s evolving squad at different moments and outcomes.
A wave of renewal swept through the Mexican national team with the arrival of Jaime Lozano. The program is undergoing a generational shift across all levels, inviting fresh faces and, when the staff deems it appropriate, players from outside the country to challenge for spots.
Julian Quinones stands as the most recent non‑native call to the Tri, signaling a push toward the 2026 World Cup and reflecting the broader football culture that welcomes global talent. This approach is not new; a number of players with foreign roots have previously earned caps through the years, continuing a longstanding pattern in the national team’s history.
Lozano named Quinones as an option to strengthen the squad, either by competing with Hirving Lozano in attacking roles or serving as a false nine. The aim is to build depth and flexibility as the program leaves behind the recent World Cup era and looks ahead to future challenges, including the possibility for players who previously wore other national colors to contribute on the world stage.
*This list includes only players who actually appeared on the field; those who were called but did not play are not included, as in the case of Lucas Lobos.
ROGELIO Funes Mori
- Year: 2021
- Clubs: River Plate, Benfica, Eskisehirspor, Monterrey
- Country of birth: Argentina
- Matches: 9
CHACO GIMENEZ
- Year: 2013
- Clubs: Veracruz, America, Pachuca and Cruz Azul
- Country of birth: Argentina
- Matches: 5
DAMIAN ALVAREZ
- Years: 2012-13
- Clubs: Morelia, Pachuca and Tigres
- Country of birth: Argentina
- Matches: 4
LUCAS AYALA
- Year: 2009
- Clubs: Veracruz, Tigres and Atlas
- Country of birth: Argentina
- Competitions: 1
LEANDRO AUGUST
- Years: 2008-09
- Clubs: León, Pumas, Tijuana and Puebla
- Country of birth: Brazil
- Matches: 6
MATÍAS VUOSO
- Years: 2008-15
- Clubs: Santos, América, Atlas, Chiapas and Cruz Azul
- Country of birth: Argentina
- Matches: 16
- Goals: 4
GUILERMO FRANCO
- Years: 2005-10
- Clubs: Monterrey and Pachuca
- Country of birth: Argentina
- Matches: 27
- Goals: 7
ANTONIO NAELSON ‘SINHA’
- Years: 2004-13
- Clubs: Monterrey, Toluca and Querétaro
- Country of birth: Brazil
- Matches: 61
GABRIEL CABALLERO
- Year: 2002
- Clubs: Santos, Pachuca and Atlas
- Country of birth: Argentina
- Matches: 9
Carlos Lara
- Years: 1961-62
- Clubs: Zacatepec, Toluca and Necaxa
- Country of birth: Argentina
- Matches: 4
Carlos Blanco Castaño
- Years: 1954-58
- Clubs: Necaxa and Toluca
- Country of birth: Spain
- Competitions: 2
Jorge Romo
- Years: 1949-60
- Clubs: Asturias, Marte and Toluca
- Country of birth: Cuba
- Matches: 14
José López Hernanz
- Year: 1938
- Clubs: Real Spain and America
- Country of birth: Spain
- Matches: 6
Lorenzo Camarena
- Year: 1936
- Clubs: Deportivo Nacional and Necaxa
- Country of birth: Spain
- Matches: 6
Julio Lores
- Years: 1935-38
- Club: Necaxa
- Country of birth: Peru
- Matches: 6