Mexico is the top purveyor of futbol rapido, and has a strong history in futbol siete (seven-a-side outdoor soccer), but now they are back to take another shot at WMF’s top prize. The Mexican federation announced its roster for the 2019 WMF World Cup in Perth, Australia.

Mexico is best known in the minifootball community as the runner-up (or subcampeon) of the two previous WMF World Cups. The US won the first ever WMF World Cup in 2015, which was played in an arena soccer format. In the soccer-6 version in 2017, Mexico fell to the Czech Republic in the Tunisian final.

Mexico went 3-1 this summer against the US in an arena soccer exhibition series, with both teams making liberal changes to their lineups each game.

Mexico will open in Group E with Ivory Coast, Somalia, and Moldova.

The Mexicans return the goalkeeper tandem of Diego Reynoso and Bernaldino Valdovinos, who split time in Tunisia in 2017. The roster notably features eight players from the San Diego Sockers.

It will be hard to win the ball from Mexico with high-motor ball handlers like Pee Wee Ortega, Brandon Escoto, Miguel Vaca, Hiram Ruiz, and Daniel Villela driving the tempo.

Eight players return from the 2017 Tunisia roster and Valdivinos is the only Mexico player selected for all three WMF World Cups.

Team Mexico Staff and Roster:

  • Alfredo Maccise – President FNFR, Sergio del Rio – VP FNFR
  • Rene Ortiz – Head Coach
  • Luis Borrego – Assistant Coach
  • Victor Melendez – Assistant Coach, Goalkeeper Trainer
  • Eusebio Martinez – Fitness and Conditioning Coach
  • Salvador Manzo: Administrator
  • Carlos Luna: Media
NamePosition#Team
Bernaldino Valdovinos Goalkeeper1Monterrey Flash
Diego Reynoso Goalkeeper30Monterrey Flash
Guerrero Pino Defender5San Diego Sockers
Luis “Pee Wee” Ortega Defender69San Diego Sockers
Cesar Cerda Defender9San Diego Sockers
Ismael Rojo Defender23San Diego Sockers
Raymundo Contreras Defender3San Diego Sockers
Daniel VillelaMidfield15Harrisburg Heat
Brandon Escoto Midfield10San Diego Sockers
Christian GutierrezMidfield4San Diego Sockers
Hiram RuizMidfield63San Diego Sockers
Carlos Hernandez Midfield7Rio Grande Valley Barracudas
Miguel Vaca Midfield8Monterrey Flash
Edgar Gonzalez Forward20Monterrey Flash
Moises GonzalezForward11Utica City FC