The Mexican Under-17 soccer team kicked off its Concacaf Pre-World Cup campaign on February 9, 2025, with high hopes of securing qualification for the World Cup later this year in Qatar. Under the guidance of coach Carlos Cariño, the team aims to leverage its local status and strong youth talent to dominate the region.
Mexico's entry was marked by their first match against Dominica, taking place at the Mexican Football Federation facilities located in Toluca, State of Mexico. This entire tournament, which began on February 7 and runs until February 16, features matches across several sites, including locations like Costa Rica and Guatemala.
The group stage for Mexico includes confrontations with Dominica, Belize, Barbados, and Nicaragua. Following their opening win against Dominica, where they triumphed with a staggering score of 8-0, the team solidified its intent to emerge as group leaders. Each of these matches, scheduled for 3:00 PM CST, is pivotal for gaining points toward World Cup qualification.
Players to watch include Kenneth Martínez, 17, hailing from Chihuahua, who has already made waves with past selections to the national team. His colleague, Juan Ignacio López, at just 16, also showcases considerable potential as Mexico strives to build from its rich football traditions.
The match against Dominica evidenced Mexico's offensive capabilities, with the team swiftly establishing dominance. Notable highlights included goals from Gael García, who opened the scoring early, followed by impressive contributions from other players such as Aldo De Nigris.
De Nigris, who was pivotal during the match, stated, "We aim to secure our spot at the tournament without complications," encapsulating the team's confident mindset heading forward. The emphasis on early scoring was evident, as they netted five goals during the first half alone.
Analysts and supporters alike remain optimistic, with Maria Lopez noting, "The Tri Sub-17 has traditionally been strong and is expected to perform well." This sentiment highlights the historical strength of Mexico's youth teams on the international stage, fostering excitement among fans.
Mexico's upcoming matches will see them pitted against Belize on February 11, Barbados on February 13, and Nicaragua on February 16, reinforcing the urgency for them to maintain momentum. Winning these matches could be pivotal, as only the top teams from each group will advance to the World Cup.
This tournament serves not just as a means to qualify, but as a platform for young athletes to showcase their talents on the international stage. With the World Cup set to take place later this year, attention is already turning to the skills and strategies employed during the Concacaf championships.
For fans eager to watch the action, the games are being broadcast via ESPN 3 and available for streaming on Disney+, ensuring widespread access to these budding talents vying for international recognition.
On this promising note, as Mexico's Under-17 team embarks on this exciting path, the combination of youthful exuberance, strategic gameplay, and experienced coaching could very well lead them toward victory on the pitch, possibly marking another successful chapter for Mexican football.