Mexico are set to defend their crown at the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup after capturing the title in 2023 with a 1–0 win over Panama. But the national team will be without one of their most recognizable figures: San Diego FC forward and longtime national team standout Hirving Lozano.
Veterans of the international stage, Mexico have regularly counted on Lozano’s contributions—he’s logged 70 caps with 18 goals and 12 assists. Lozano also made headlines in the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, where he scored the decisive goal in Mexico’s famous upset over Germany in the group stage.
After a spell of inconsistent form and several months without a national team call-up—including missing the 2024 Copa America—Lozano earned his way back into the conversation with strong performances in Major League Soccer. He was named to Mexico’s 60-man preliminary list for the 2025 Gold Cup, but ultimately did not make the final roster.
Why is Hirving Lozano not playing the 2025 Gold Cup?
Hirving Lozano will not be part of México’s squad for the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup after suffering a left hamstring injury during San Diego FC’s 2–0 victory over Austin FC in MLS play.
Hirving Lozano #11 of San Diego FC on the floor after suffering an injury against Austin FC. (Francisco Vega/Getty Images)
“He felt something,” San Diego head coach Mikey Varas said after the match. “He never wants to step out of anything. I feel for the guy because he’s gaining such rhythm right now. Hopefully, it’s not as big a setback as last time”.
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After Lozano made some medical studies, Mexico’s national team confirmed the news: “San Diego FC reported and sent tests showing that Hirving Lozano has a left hamstring injury that prevents him from traveling to join the rest of the squad”.
A frustrating Gold Cup history for Lozano
Despite representing Mexico at both the 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cups, Lozano has only logged 18 minutes of game time in the Concacaf Gold Cup across his career.
He missed the 2019 tournament due to a knee injury suffered while playing with PSV. In 2021, he started México’s opening match against Trinidad and Tobago but was forced off after 18 minutes due to a serious collision with the opposing goalkeeper, ending his tournament early.
In 2023, just as it seemed he might make a full Gold Cup run, another knee injury—this time while with Napoli—kept him out of the championship squad that defeated Panama in the final. Now, in 2025, another setback has once again prevented “Chucky” from suiting up for his country.
