Mexico is the first CONCACAF team in action in the 2017 Men's U-20 World Cup. El Tri has something of a point to prove, having been relieved of its CONCACAF U-20 crown by the USA this year. It is traditionally the region's best men's team at the youth levels, but the current U-17 and U-20 cycles have put that reputation under pressure. Mexico was last in its group in 2015, and will very much hope for a better showing at this tournament.
A stronger showing at this World Cup than the rest of CONCACAF would help to counter the perception that Mexico's player development programs are losing ground to the USA.