Mexico Announces 26-Man Squad for 2026 World Cup
Goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa was selected for a record sixth World Cup. Mexico named a 26-man squad that includes Raul Jimenez and 17-year-old Gilberto Mora.
bbc.co.ukMexico named goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa to its 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup, making the 40-year-old the first Mexican selected for a sixth World Cup. Ochoa earned his 152nd cap for Mexico as a substitute in a 1-0 friendly win over Australia on Saturday. He made his World Cup debut in Germany in 2006 and spent last season with Cypriot club AEL Limassol.
Ochoa joins Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo as the first players selected for a sixth World Cup. Messi is set to feature for holders Argentina and Ronaldo for Portugal. Javier Aguirre selected the squad, which will be led by captain Edson Alvarez.
Alvarez spent last season on loan at Fenerbahce from West Ham. Aguirre is coaching Mexico at a World Cup for the third time after leading the team in 2002 and 2010. Fulham striker Raul Jimenez is included.
Seventeen-year-old Gilberto Mora is set to become Mexico's youngest World Cup player, while 23-year-old Armando Gonzalez also made the squad. US-developed dual nationals Obed Vargas and Brian Gutierrez were selected. Spain-born midfielder Alvaro Fidalgo and Colombia-born forward Julian Quinones, both naturalised players who have become national team regulars, are also in the group.
Mexico are co-hosting the 2026 World Cup with the United States and Canada. The team plays its final warm-up match against Serbia on Thursday before opening against South Africa at Mexico City's Estadio Azteca on 11 June. Mexico then faces South Korea in Zapopan on 18 June and the Czech Republic at Estadio Azteca on 24 June.
The squad lists three goalkeepers: Raul Rangel of Guadalajara, Ochoa of AEL Limassol, and Carlos Acevedo of Santos Laguna. The six defenders are Jorge Sanchez of PAOK, Israel Reyes of Club America, Cesar Montes of Lokomotiv Moscow, Johan Vasquez of Genoa, Jesus Gallardo of Toluca, and Mateo Chavez of AZ.
The ten midfielders are Erik Lira of Cruz Azul, Orbelin Pineda of AEK Athens, Alvaro Fidalgo of Real Betis, Roberto Alvarado, Brian Gutierrez, Luis Romo of Guadalajara, Edson Alvarez of West Ham, Obed Vargas of Atletico Madrid, Gilberto Mora of Tijuana, and Luis Chavez of Dynamo Moscow.
The seven forwards are Cesar Huerta of Anderlecht, Alexis Vega of Toluca, Julian Quinones of Al-Qadsiah, Guillermo Martinez of UNAM, Armando Gonzalez of Guadalajara, Santiago Gimenez of AC Milan, and Raul Jimenez of Fulham. Ochoa has seen limited action for Mexico in recent years. World Cup fixtures and group standings were published on 10 December 2025.
Transparency
Reported by a single outlet. This score reflects source tier and factual specificity — corroboration is limited with one source.
Story details
Related Stories
nypost.comSabalenka vs Osaka Set for French Open Round of 16 on June 1
World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka meets No. 16 Naomi Osaka in the fourth round at Stade Roland Garros. The match is the first women’s night session at the French Open since 2023.
The Boston GlobeSerena Williams Accepts Wild Card for Queen’s Club Doubles
Serena Williams will return to professional tennis next week at the Queen’s Club grass-court tournament after nearly four years away. The 23-time Grand Slam singles champion received a doubles wild card from the WTA Tour.
Nbc NewsSerena Williams Accepts Wild Card for Women's Doubles at HSBC Championships
Serena Williams will return to professional tennis at the HSBC Championships next week after nearly four years away. The 44-year-old 23-time Grand Slam champion received a wild card for women's doubles alongside Victoria Mboko.