Mexico names Ochoa in squad for likely record sixth World Cup

MEXICO CITY: Veteran goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa has been included in Mexico’s squad for the 2026 World Cup, putting him on course to become the first goalkeeper to feature at six editions of the finals.

The 40-year-old AEL Limassol player first appeared at the World Cup in Germany in 2006. His selection places him alongside Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo and Argentina’s Lionel Messi as players set for a sixth appearance at the tournament. However, while Ronaldo and Messi remain first-choice options for their national teams, Ochoa is not expected to play a leading role after slipping down the order in recent years.

Mexico coach Javier Aguirre’s squad also includes forwards Raul Jimenez of Fulham and Santiago Gimenez of AC Milan. Two naturalised players named in the group — Spain-born midfielder Alvaro Fidalgo and Colombia-born forward Julian Quinones — have become important members of Aguirre’s side.

Seventeen-year-old attacking midfielder Gilberto Mora is also in line to make history, as he is set to become the youngest player ever to represent Mexico at a World Cup.

Aguirre’s third World Cup in charge

For Aguirre, 67, the tournament will mark his third World Cup as Mexico coach, having also led the team in 2002 and 2010. On both of those occasions, Mexico did not get beyond the group phase. This time, the hosts will be aiming to emulate the national teams of 1970 and 1986 — the previous two times Mexico staged the finals — by reaching the quarter-finals.

Mexico will co-host the 2026 World Cup with the United States and Canada. They are due to play the opening match of the tournament against South Africa on June 11 in Mexico City. Their remaining group fixtures are against South Korea on June 18 and the Czech Republic on June 24.

Mexico squad

The goalkeepers selected are Raul Rangel of Guadalajara, Guillermo Ochoa of AEL Limassol and Carlos Acevedo of Santos Laguna.

The defenders are Israel Reyes of America, Jorge Sanchez of PAOK, Cesar Montes of Lokomotiv Moscow, Johan Vasquez of Genoa, Jesus Gallardo of Toluca and Mateo Chavez of Alkmaar.

The midfielders are Edson Alvarez of West Ham, Luis Romo of Guadalajara, Obed Vargas of Atletico Madrid, Brian Gutierrez of Guadalajara, Orbelin Pineda of AEK Athens, Erik Lira of Cruz Azul, Gilberto Mora of Tijuana, Cesar Huerta of Anderlecht, Alvaro Fidalgo of Real Betis and Luis Chavez of Dynamo Moscow.

The forwards are Roberto Alvarado of Guadalajara, Alexis Vega of Toluca, Julian Quinones of Al-Qadisiyah, Santiago Gimenez of AC Milan, Guillermo Martinez of Pumas, Armando Gonzalez of Guadalajara and Raul Jimenez of Fulham.