Mexico's Rising Stars Shine Bright: Ranking the Top 4 Players Blazing Their Trail to World Cup 2026

With fewer than 120 days remaining until Mexico's World Cup opener, and as February reaches its midpoint, several El Tri candidates seeking summer selection have maintained their impressive 2026 campaign with exceptional displays throughout the recent week.

The Liga MX Clausura 2026 tournament is intensifying, with some of Mexico's finest domestic talents spearheading their clubs' championship pursuits. While Mexican players abroad had a relatively subdued week, one particular national team prospect delivered a memorable weekend showing.

Given that several crucial Mexican stars are currently sidelined with injuries, fringe players have been elevating their performances to catch manager Javier Aguirre's attention, potentially creating challenging roster decisions in the coming months.

Below, Sports Illustrated evaluates the four standout Mexican performers from the previous week.

4. Carlos Rodríguez (Cruz Azul)

Cruz Azul met Tigres on Sunday in a rematch of December's Apertura semifinal clash. Despite fielding Argentine talents Jose Paradela and Agustín Palavecino in midfield, Carlos Rodríguez emerged as the catalyst, guiding Cruz Azul to a redemptive 2–1 triumph.

While Rodríguez didn't register a direct goal contribution, he orchestrated both of La Máquina's strikes. His signature lobbed delivery into the box forced Tigres defender Joaquim into a desperate own goal while attempting to prevent Paradela from reaching the ball.

Shortly after, "Charly" threaded a precisely weighted through-ball past defenders for Willer Ditta, creating a one-versus-one opportunity with the keeper. Though Nahuel Guzmán denied Ditta's attempt, the deflection landed perfectly for Nico Ibañez to convert Cruz Azul's second.

Few Liga MX midfielders have matched Rodríguez's consistency over the past twelve months. Recently, he's reached new heights and is displaying career-best form. However, replicating this excellence with El Tri has remained Rodríguez's weakness, leading many to question his national team inclusion.

Yet if the 29-year-old maintains his current standards, Aguirre will find it difficult to overlook him for the final World Cup squad.

3. Marcel Ruiz (Toluca)

Liga MX appears increasingly straightforward for Marcel Ruiz, whose performances suggest European potential if he excels at the World Cup. During Toluca's weekend triumph, the versatile midfielder commanded attention.

Ruiz provided the match's lone assist, drifting between defensive lines, controlling an aerial pass with exceptional technique, and delivering a powerful weak-foot cross for prolific striker Paulinho to finish.

Beyond that crucial moment, Ruiz's display against Tijuana showcased his complete midfield abilities. The 25-year-old led all players in pass completion while generating the most scoring opportunities. Defensively, he was omnipresent, recording seven ball recoveries and four clearances without committing any fouls.

Ruiz has evolved into the engine of the consecutive Liga MX champions, embodying the modern midfielder archetype without significant flaws. His development over three seasons has been remarkable, and Ruiz is anticipated to feature prominently in Aguirre's World Cup opener lineup.

2. Julián Araujo (Celtic)

Julián Araujo's fortunes have dramatically improved since his January transfer to Celtic. The fullback has regained his confidence, culminating in Sunday's stoppage-time winner that sealed his team's spectacular 3–2 comeback victory.

Araujo demonstrated perfect anticipation and positioning to capitalize when a cross was deflected into the penalty area. The Mexican unleashed a thunderous strike into the net's upper corner to secure Celtic's result, before celebrating with supporters who are already advocating for his permanent signing.

The goal rewarded Araujo's tireless efforts along the right wing, where he defended solidly, intervened decisively, and created four attacking chances beyond his decisive strike.

After appearing in only one Bournemouth match during the season's first half, Araujo has established himself as Celtic's first-choice starter. Previously written off from World Cup contention just weeks ago, he now has genuine prospects of competing for El Tri's right-back position, one of the squad's most vulnerable areas heading into summer.

1. Armando González (Chivas)

Armando González and Chivas's storybook romance gained another magical chapter Saturday evening, as "La Hormiga" netted the decisive goal in El Clásico Nacional against arch-rivals América. This marks González's second consecutive derby-winning strike for Chivas.

The dynamic forward outmaneuvered one of Liga MX's premier center-backs, Uruguayan international Sebastián Cáceres, with swift movements inside the penalty area during a corner kick sequence. La Hormiga found space at the far post and, following a deflection, volleyed home Chivas's Clásico winner. González has now contributed five of Chivas's eleven goals this season during their flawless six-game start.

While he may lack exceptional technical ability and could refine his finishing, his positioning instincts and goal-scoring intuition are exceptional, consistently finding optimal scoring positions. Comparisons are often meaningless, but González evokes memories of another Chivas striker with similar qualities who emerged before a World Cup: Javier "Chicharito" Hernández in 2010.

Raúl Jiménez remains Mexico's guaranteed World Cup starter. However, with Santiago Gimenez injured, Germán Berterame adjusting to MLS, and Julián Quiñones apparently out of Aguirre's favor in Saudi Arabia, González possesses genuine prospects of making his World Cup debut this summer.

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Roberto Casillas is a Sports Illustrated FC freelance writer covering Liga MX, the Mexican National Team & Latin American players in Europe. He is a die hard Cruz Azul and Chelsea fan.