Goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa becomes the first Mexican player to play in six World Cups after the 40-year-old was named in Javier Aguirre’s squad for Sunday’s tournament.
Ochoa, who made his World Cup debut in Germany in 2006, has not featured much for the national team in recent years, but was called up because Aguirre combines experience and youth in his 26-man squad.
Captain Edson Alvarez and striker Raul Jimenez also bring experience, while emerging talents such as Guadalajara forward Armando Gonzalez and teenage midfielder Gilberto Mora.
At 17, Mora will become the youngest player to represent Mexico at a World Cup, while US-developed dual nationals Obed Vargas and Brian Gutierrez are among the younger players in the squad.
Aguirre has also selected Spanish-born midfielder Alvaro Fidalgo and Colombian-born forward Julian Quinones, two naturalized players who have become regulars in the national team.
Mexico, which reached the quarter-finals when it last hosted the World Cup in 1986, will host the tournament along with the US and Canada from June 11 to July 19.
Aguirre will lead the national team at the World Cup for the third time, after the 2002 and 2010 editions.
Mexico will play a final warm-up against Serbia on Thursday before playing South Africa in the World Cup opener at Estadio Azteca on June 11.
THE TEAM
Goalkeepers: Raul Rangel, Guillermo Ochoa, Carlos Acevedo.
Defenders: Jorge Sanchez, Israel Reyes, Cesar Montes, Johan Vasquez, Jesus Gallardo, Mateo Chavez.
Midfielders: Erik Lira, Orbelin Pineda, Alvaro Fidalgo, Brian Gutierrez, Luis Romo, Edson Alvarez, Obed Vargas, Gilberto Mora, Luis Chavez.
Forwards: Roberto Alvarado, Cesar Huerta, Alexis Vega, Julian Quinones, Guillermo Martinez, Armando Gonzalez, Santiago Gimenez, Raul Jimenez.
Published on June 1, 2026
