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As is the case with all teams headed to Russia for the World Cup this summer, Mexico faces more questions than answers. El Tri is in a strange spot this time around, fueled by their desire to break past their round-of-16 funk and into the quarterfinals while first needing to navigate arguably the toughest group in the competition. Off the pitch, players will weather the storm of yet another scandal potentially affecting their ability to concentrate during games. Coach Juan Carlos Osorio will also confront his detractors in the Mexican media as he tries to better his record with the team at official tournaments. Even the fans will have their share of drama to deal with, as FIFA will keep a watchful eye on a certain chant that simply won't go away. Here then are the 23 most pressing storylines facing the Mexican national team as it rolls into the World Cup: 1. Chicharito's big moment It's hard to believe but Mexico's all-time leading goal scorer has started just one World Cup game in his career. Even then, Javier Hernandez has scored three goals in eight games since 2010. Will he get a chance to star in Russia and lead El Tri's attack? Despite the constant lineup switching from his coach, it seems likely. 2. Rotations, rotations, rotations Speaking of which, Osorio will again employ his trademarked roster manipulation to navigate three very different opponents. There are very few players whom we can expect to see in all three group games including goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa and forward Carlos Vela, who is undoubtedly the offensive anchor. 3. Rafa's last dance Rafael Marquez will retire in Russia at 39 years old. The former Barcelona great will tie the record of five World Cup appearances, tying Germany's Lothar Matthaus, Italy's Gianluigi Buffon and Mexico's Antonio Carbajal. His leadership and experience will be invaluable. Though he likely won't start, he will be expected to lead by example coming off the bench. 4. End of an era Aside from Marquez, other players will be bidding adieu to the World Cup after Russia. Goalkeepers Jesus Corona and Alfredo Talavera will likely be phased out on the road to 2022. Andres Guardado will be 35 when Qatar rolls around, while a 33-year-old Miguel Layun on the wing might not be the best option available by then either. Oribe Peralta, a revered figure with El Tri, has already said he'll step aside after this tournament. 5. A clutch farewell from Oribe Peralta, the Club America striker, will forever be remembered as the man who single-handedly propelled Mexico to the gold medal at the 2012 Olympics with two big goals. Throughout his time with the Mexico national team, he's made a career of scoring at the most crucial moments. Will he get a chance to do it again in Russia? 6. Will the real Giovani please stand up? Giovani dos Santos split Mexican fans' opinions as to whether the former Tottenham flop should make the World Cup roster. Dos Santos is capable of great highs, such as his goal against the Netherlands four years ago, and great lows, as he's mostly shown throughout his club career. Osorio and friends will hope that the former, not the latter, mark his appearances at the World Cup. 7. Vela's time to shine On the other hand Gio's best friend, Vela, is expected to shoulder the load for Mexico's offense and do so at a superlative level. The LAFC forward is returning to the World Cup for the first time since 2010 but arrives at perhaps the peak of his career. 8. Defensive midfield woes Jesus Molina was cut from the preliminary squad and "Gallito" Vazquez was never considered. Therefore, Mexico will go into the World Cup without a natural defensive midfielder. The question now becomes whether Osorio will forgo the position entirely or if he'll slide different players to cover it. Marquez, Edson Alvarez and Diego Reyes have been tested there before. 9. The hangover A post-match party with some members of the Mexican squad and female guests has blown up in both the tabloids and the mainstream media down in Mexico. The gossip and debate surrounding the issue has already yielded its first consequences. Will the team be able to come together by the time the tournament rolls around? 10. Lozano and Jimenez look for big deals PSV enjoyed a fantastic debut season from Hirving Lozano after his 2017 transfer from Pachuca. On the other hand, Raul Jimenez suffered on the bench for most of the season at Benfica. However, both can parlay a great World Cup into big summer transfer deals, as they remain Mexico's top offensive prospects in Europe. 11. Is Jesus Gallardo ready to step forward? Osorio has been unwavering in his support of wide defender Jesus Gallardo, propelling his club career recently to a big-money transfer from UNAM to Monterrey. Many fans are still skeptical of his talent, however. A good tournament could end any such mistrust. 12. Ochoa's second act After finally getting the chance to start for Mexico at the 2014 World Cup, Ochoa responded by staging one of the most spectacular performances by a goalkeeper in the tournament's history when he blanked Brazil at home in the group stage. This time around, he will have another behemoth (Germany) to stop. 13. The young one At 20, Alvarez is the youngest player on the roster. A multi-functional player, he can play almost any position on the back line as well as move up and play defensive midfield. Though inexperienced, he looks to be a potential jack-of-all-trades for Osorio. 14. European redux for Aquino? Javier Aquino crashed out of Europe after dull spells at Villarreal and Rayo Vallecano before resurfacing in a big way with Tigres. He has been lights out in Liga MX and has played well with El Tri in the past. A good World Cup could garner some offers for the 28-year-old wide midfielder.  15. Jonathan's debut At last, Jonathan dos Santos will get his chance to strut his stuff at a World Cup after near misses in 2010 and 2014. The former Barcelona and Villarreal midfielder has steady for Mexico under Osorio, and fans will be hoping he can be decisive this summer. 16. Staying healthy Injuries have already affected the Mexican national team as Nestor Araujo has been forced to hop off the preliminary list, unable to recover from an injury sustained earlier this year. Reyes is also in doubt, which would mean a second defender leaving the team in a short span. 17. Will Reyes make it? The Porto defender had been an important puzzle piece for Osorio in the back given his ability to play central defender or defensive midfielder. Reyes' stature is also a plus for the demanding manager. His omission would be a tough blow for the team. 18. A tough opener Mexico's first game of the competition against Germany represents El Tri's chance to get only their second victory in twelve games overall against Die Mannschaft. Last year's 4-1 loss at the Confederations Cup came against an "alternative" German squad. Will they be able to hang with the defending World Cup champions this time around? 19. A tale of two continents Mexico will face two UEFA opponents at the World Cup, the confederation with which they have the most trouble against (.380 win percentage in 187 games), and an AFC opponent, the confederation they're most successful against (.760 win percentage in 29 games). At the World Cup, Mexico will hope to buck the European trend and continue their winning ways against Asia. 20. Form is (not so) temporary Sweden has just one win in the calendar year. South Korea has lost three of their last four games and Germany has not won since Oct. 8, 2017. Mexico has been slightly better, winning three of their last five matches, which means they're coming into the group as potentially the most in-form team. 21. Eradicate the chant Mexico's dreaded homophobic chant has not yet died off in games played at home, but there was significant progress toward exterminating it at international tournaments last year at the Confederations Cup. Hopefully, the trend continues this summer. 22. Managing Mexico Osorio is valued by his bosses and derided by his fan base. Though the FMF would like him to continue, the odds are against the Colombian staying through the next World Cup cycle, unless ... 23. El quinto partido ... Mexico's quest to make the quarterfinals for the first time since 1986 is achieved. This time around, the mission looks especially difficult. El Tri will likely need to get by two world champions to do so: Germany in the group stage and Brazil in the round of 16. Is this finally the year they break through?
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