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Mexico’s veteran goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa is on course to make football history after being named in Mexico’s squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a move that could see him become the first goalkeeper to feature in six World Cup finals.
The 40-year-old shot-stopper, who currently plays for Cypriot club AEL Limassol, made his World Cup debut in Germany in 2006 and now stands alongside global icons Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi as players set for a sixth appearance at football’s biggest tournament.
Unlike Ronaldo and Messi, however, Ochoa is not expected to play a leading on-field role. Once Mexico’s undisputed number one, the experienced goalkeeper has slipped down the pecking order in recent years and is unlikely to see significant minutes during the competition.
Still, his inclusion carries symbolic weight for a Mexican side seeking a memorable run on home soil. Mexico, co-hosting the 2026 tournament with the United States and Canada, will open the competition against South Africa on June 11 in Mexico City.
Leading the squad’s attacking options are experienced striker Raul Jimenez of Fulham and AC Milan forward Santiago Gimenez. The squad also reflects Mexico’s evolving identity under coach Javier Aguirre, with Spain-born midfielder Alvaro Fidalgo and Colombia-born forward Julian Quinones earning places after becoming key figures following their naturalisation.
One of the most intriguing selections is 17-year-old attacking midfielder Gilberto Mora, who is poised to become the youngest player ever to represent Mexico at a World Cup.
For Aguirre, 67, the tournament marks his third World Cup campaign as Mexico coach, following his stints in 2002 and 2010. On both occasions, Mexico failed to move beyond the group stage.
This time, expectations are higher. Backed by home support, Aguirre will be hoping to replicate Mexico’s strongest World Cup performances in 1970 and 1986, when the nation also hosted the tournament and reached the quarter-finals.
Mexico’s group-stage schedule continues with matches against South Korea on June 18 and the Czech Republic on June 24, as the hosts seek to turn experience, youth, and home advantage into a landmark campaign.
Mexico Squad:
Goalkeepers: Raúl Rangel (Guadalajara), Guillermo Ochoa (AEL Limassol, CYP), Carlos Acevedo (Santos Laguna)
Defenders: Israel Reyes (America), Jorge Sánchez (PAOK/GRE), César Montes (Lokomotiv Moscow/RUS), Johan Vásquez (Genoa/ITA), Jesús Gallardo (Toluca), Mateo Chávez (Alkmaar/NED)
Midfielders: Edson Álvarez (West Ham/ENG), Luis Romo (Guadalajara), Obed Vargas (Atlético Madrid/ESP), Brian Gutiérrez (Guadalajara), Orbelín Pineda (AEK Athens/GRE), Erik Lira (Cruz Azul), Gilberto Mora (Tijuana), César Huerta (Anderlecht/BEL), Álvaro Fidalgo (Real Betis/ESP), Luis Chávez (Dynamo Moscow/RUS).
Forwards: Roberto Alvarado (Guadalajara), Alexis Vega (Toluca), Julián Quinones (Al-Qadisiyah, KSA), Santiago Gimenez (AC Milan/ITA), Guillermo Martínez (Pumas), Armando Gonzalez (Guadalajara), Raúl Jiménez (Fulham/ENG)
