FIFA World Cup 2018: A comprehensive look at Group F

#2 Mexico

Will Mexico reach yet another RO16 only to lose there yet again?

Mexico have always been one of the mainstays of the FIFA World Cup, and have always played a brand of attractive team-intensive football, and it is no different this time. The team might be a little old compared to the previous editions, but Mexico should do enough to edge out Sweden when the two meet.

Mexico qualified as the winners of the final CONCACAF qualifying round, ahead of fellow WC qualifiers Panama and Costa Rica. Mexico conceded the least goals during the run and scored one goal fewer than USA while securing qualification well before the end of all the games.

Coach: Juan Carlos Osorio

Osorio was appointed the coach of the Mexican national team in 2015, and his time there has been full of highs and lows. After a 22-match unbeaten streak, Mexico was defeated 0-7 by Chile in the Copa America, and Osorio issued an official apology to the fans.

As a coach, Osorio is prone to the rotation and is a cause of a headache for the fans and the players. Even when the team is successful, it is not a guarantee that the team will start the next game as well, and it might backfire in the WC.

The Colombian recently refused to renew his contract with Mexico and is most likely to leave after the World Cup.

These 23 warriors have dreamed of this moment: To represent 🇲🇽 in the @FIFAWorldCup. This summer that dream comes true. Here is our roster for the #WorldCup 🇷🇺🏆⚽#NadaNosDetiene pic.twitter.com/L6Y73zyHMt

— Mexican National Team (@miseleccionmxEN) June 4, 2018

Many might remember Ochoa for his brilliant performance against Brazil during the last World Cup, and he will once again don the gloves for El Tri. Playing in front of him will be a loosely constructed 4-3-3.

A back four of Layun, Moreno, Reyes and Salcedo is Mexico's strongest defense, but do not be surprised if Osorio makes five or six changes to that line during the progress of the tournament.

In front of that is Rafael Marquez as the Defensive Midfielder, with Porto's Herrera and Real Betis' Guardado as central midfielders.

The flanks are patrolled by PSV's Lozano and LAFC's Carlos Vela. The lone striker up front will be Benfica's Jimenez, as Chicharito has been pushed to the sidelines due to a lack of form and match practice.

Well, this is the team that should play, but nobody knows if it will. Even if they play the first game together, there is a big chance that Osorio changes things up unnecessarily for the second and third.

Will the best team play at the RO16 if Mexico gets through? Surprisingly, Mexican fans are still not sure. It is definitely not a good sign, and this might be the difference between going through and going home.

Nicknamed the demon toy 'Chucky', Lozano is certain to haunt several defenders in Russia

Player to watch out for: Hirving Lozano

Nicknamed El Chucky after the titular toy demon from the movies, Lozano is Mexico's most important player even though he is only 22. At PSV, he has tormented defenders with his pace and finishing and will play as a more creative player for the National team.

Also, this might be good grounds for the bigger clubs to scout him and thus giving him with greater reason to perform well in Russia.