Mexico's road to Brazil 2014 will first require navigation of one of the most challenging and exciting years in the team's history. To wade through the sheer volume of official matches El Tri will partake in next year is a Herculean task in itself, not to mention the fact that the team will have to endure trips to Honduras, Panama, Jamaica, Costa Rica, the United States, Brazil and more.

Here's a look at Mexico's slate of matches in 2013:

Kicking off on Jan. 30 in Glendale, Ariz., against Denmark, El Tri will have a minimum guaranteed number of 16 official matches on their docket over three competitions, the most important of which is the World Cup qualifying campaign. However, the most enticing tournament in itself is the Confederations Cup, the only official FIFA tournament Mexico has won at the senior level aside from the Gold Cup.