MEXICO CITY, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- The Mexican Football Federation (FMF) is close to announcing a new national team coach following a thorough selection process, the entity's top official said on Friday.

The Tri have been without a head coach since Colombian Juan Carlos Osorio stood down after the team's last-16 elimination at the World Cup in July.

"We have already started possible negotiations with several candidates," FMF president Yon de Luisa told reporters.

"It's been a process that has involved a lot of work. We've conducted more than 15 interviews in-person and nine by telephone. Now we're in a position to be able to choose a coach that will take us to 2022.

De Luisa added: "We hope to make an decision within weeks. We're in the last stage of our analysis and hope for good news in the next few days."

Mexico's next matches are friendlies against Costa Rica on Oct. 11 and Chile five days later.