HERZOGENAURACH (Germany), May 31 Midfielder Jonathan Dos Santos was dropped from Mexico's final World Cup squad on Monday as coach Javier Aguirre named his 23 players for the tournament.

Dos Santos, younger brother of Giovani who plays for Turkish club Galatasaray and is in the reduced group, was the major casualty when the final squad was named by Aguirre on the Mexican federation's website. Aguirre did not offer comment at the team's training base in southern Germany.

Mexico plays the World Cup opener on June 11 against host South Africa, and also faces Uruguay and France in Group A.

Mexico defeated Gambia 5-1 on Sunday, its first victory in its series of friendly matches in Europe. It had previously lost 3-1 to England and 2-1 to the Netherlands. It faces Italy on Thursday before travelling to South Africa.

Squad

Goalkeepers Guillermo Ochoa (America), Luis Michel (Guadalajara), Oscar Perez (Jaguares).

Defenders Rafael Marquez (Barcelona), Ricardo Osorio (Stuttgart), Francisco Javier Rodriguez (PSV Eindhoven), Carlos Salcido (PSV Eindhoven), Hector Moreno (AZ Alkmaar), Paul Aguilar (Pachuca), Efrain Juarez (Pumas), Jonny Magallon (Chivas), Jorge Torres Nilo (Tigres).

Midfielders Andres Guardado (Deportivo La Coruna), Gerardo Torrado (Cruz Azul), Israel Castro (Pumas).

Forwards Guillermo Franco (West Ham), Carlos Vela (Arsenal), Giovani Dos Santos (Galatasaray), Pablo Barrera (Pumas), Adolfo Bautista (Chivas), Cuauhtemoc Blanco (Veracruz), Alberto Medina (Chivas), Javier Hernandez (Chivas).—AP