Ricardo Cadena has unveiled the 18-player squad that will represent Mexico at the 2023 Pan American Games in Santiago, marking the start of a fresh cycle for the under-23 team. This announcement sets the stage for a new era of Mexican football as a group of talented youngsters steps into a high-profile tournament with the aim of making an impact on the South American stage.
The U-23 national team enters this phase under Cadena’s guidance, a period designed to build cohesion and experience ahead of the Pan American Games in Santiago de Chile. The project follows a disappointment for the national side in their bid to reach Paris 2024 through Olympic qualification, but it also opens doors for a generation of players eager to prove their credentials on an international platform. In October, attention will quickly turn to the matches that will test the squad’s readiness, with two warm-up fixtures lined up in Phoenix against the United States and Japan. These friendlies will offer a valuable proving ground for the youthful roster as coaches assess chemistry, adaptability, and international competitiveness.
In GOAL, the staff outlined the players chosen for these encounters, highlighting a blend of domestic talents and those plying their trade abroad who bring different experiences to the group.
What follows is the full roster and a snapshot of the roles each player is expected to fulfill as part of the preparation plan for the Pan American Games.
WHAT IS THE FULL CALL?
Goalkeepers: Eduardo García (Chivas) and Fernando Tapia (Querétaro)
Defense: Antonio Leone (LAFC, USA), Emilio Lara (America), Jesús Garza (Tigres), Mauricio Isais (Toluca), Pablo Monroy (Pumas) and Rafael Fernández (Xolos)
Midfield: Erik Lira (Cruz Azul), Fidel Ambriz (León), Jordan Carrillo (Sporting Gijón, ESP), Sebastián Pérez Bouquet (FC Juárez) and Ramiro Árciga (Mazatlán)
Forwards: Ali Ávila (Rayados), Brayan González (Pachuca), Ettson Ayón (Querétaro), Jesús Brigido (Chivas) and Raymundo Fulgencio (Tigres)
THE CALL MATCHES
The forthcoming matches will serve as a critical barometer for the squad’s trajectory. The team will face two strong tests in Phoenix, a venue known for its climate and competitive intensity, where the young players must demonstrate composure, tactical intelligence, and resilience against two established programs. The matches are framed as learning opportunities as much as they are competitive fixtures, with Cadena looking to evaluate formation flexibility, set-piece execution, and the balance between defensive solidity and attacking initiative.
THE MATCHES OF THE PAN-AMERICAN GAMES
As the calendar moves toward October, the players will shift focus to the Pan American Games calendar. The tournament offers a platform for emerging Mexican talents to showcase their development and to stake a claim for future senior national team responsibilities. The squad’s approach will emphasize teamwork, quick transition play, and a disciplined defensive structure, aiming to translate domestic development into success on a multinational stage. The coaching staff will monitor performance across group stage games, with potential adjustments to the lineup based on opposition analysis and player load management.
Note: The information above is provided by GOAL and reflects the official call for these preparatory events and the Pan American Games squad. The selections and schedule are subject to change as preparations continue and players return from club commitments. (Goal)