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6 World Cups and Counting: Mexico Unveils 2026 Squad with 40-Year-Old Icon

Daniel Kim Views  

Translation result. ▲ ▲ ⓒ Mexican Football Federation SNS

[SPOTV News reporter Shin In-seop] Mexico, South Korea’s second opponent at the World Cup, has announced its final 26-man roster.

The Mexican Football Federation said on the 1st (Korea time) that coach Javier Aguirre has finalized the squad to represent Mexico at football’s biggest stage. The federation noted the tournament carries special significance for Mexican soccer: Mexico will be the first nation to host the World Cup three times, after 1970 and 1986.

The biggest name on the list is goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa. Now 40, Ochoa is headed to what would be his sixth World Cup after debuting in Germany 2006. If he plays, he would become the first Mexican to appear at six World Cups. Despite limited recent minutes with the national team, Aguirre praised Ochoa’s wealth of experience.

▲ ▲ ⓒ Mexican Football Federation SNS

Captain Edson Álvarez and striker Raúl Jiménez will remain central to the squad. Álvarez has returned from injury and is still expected to lead the team both emotionally and tactically.

A wave of youth made the cut as well. The standout prospect is 17-year-old attacking midfielder Hilberto Morada of Tijuana. Praised for his technical ability and mature decision-making, Morada would become Mexico’s youngest-ever World Cup player if he sees the field. Dual nationals who grew up in the U.S., Obed Vargas and Brian Gutiérrez, were also included as pieces for the future.

▲ ▲ ⓒ Mexican Football Federation SNS

Some notable names were left off the final roster. Hirving Lozano was omitted amid disciplinary concerns and limited playing time with San Diego FC. Rodrigo Huescas missed out while recovering from a knee injury, and Luis Ángel Malagón and Jesús Orosco Chiquete were also ruled out due to injury.

Now in his third World Cup as Mexico’s coach, Aguirre faces the familiar challenge of getting past the quarterfinal barrier the nation hasn’t overcome since hosting in 1986. Mexico will play a final tune-up against Serbia on the 5th, then open the tournament against South Africa at Estadio Azteca on the 12th.

▲ ▲ ⓒ Mexican Football Federation SNS

◼︎ Mexico final roster for the 2026 FIFA World Cup (26 players)

GK: Raúl Rangel (Guadalajara), Carlos Acevedo (Santos Laguna), Guillermo Ochoa (AEL Limassol)

DF: Jesús Gallardo (Toluca), César Montes (Lokomotiv Moscow), Jorge Sánchez (PAOK), Johan Vásquez (Genoa), Mateo Chávez (AZ), Israel Reyes (América), Erick Lira (Cruz Azul), Edson Álvarez (Fenerbahçe)

MF: Obed Vargas (Atlético Madrid), Luis Chávez (Dynamo Moscow), Roberto Alvarado (Guadalajara), Luis Romo (Guadalajara), Álvaro Fidalgo (Betis), Brian Gutiérrez (Guadalajara), Orbelín Pineda (AEK Athens), César Huerta (Anderlecht), Hilberto Morada (Tijuana), Alexis Vega (Toluca)

FW: Julián Quiñónes (Al Qadsiah), Guillermo Martínez (Pumas), Armando González (Guadalajara), Santiago Giménez (AC Milan), Raúl Jiménez (Fulham)

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