Mexico Selects Ochoa For Historic 6th World Cup

Veteran goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa been included in Mexico’s squad for the upcoming World Cup, putting him on track to become one of only three men—alongside Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo—to feature in six editions of the tournament.

While the former Ballon d’Or winners remain central figures for Argentina and Portugal respectively, Ochoa’s role for El Tri has been more limited in recent years.

Still, his inclusion marks a remarkable career milestone. The veteran shot-stopper first appeared on football’s biggest stage at the 2006 World Cup in Germany and spent the last club season with Cypriot side AEL Limassol.

Mexico’s 26-man roster, managed by Javier Aguirre, also features Fulham striker Raúl Jiménez. The team will be captained by Edson Álvarez, who spent the previous campaign on loan at Fenerbahçe from West Ham.

At just 17, Gilberto Mora is poised to become the youngest-ever Mexican World Cup player. Meanwhile, 23-year-old Armando González represents another rising star included in the squad. Dual nationals Obed Vargas and Brian Gutierrez—both developed in the United States—add youthful energy, while Spain-born Álvaro Fidalgo and Colombia-born Julián Quiñones (both naturalized and now regulars for Mexico) also make the cut.

This will be Aguirre’s third World Cup as Mexico’s head coach, having previously led the team in 2002 and 2010. As co-hosts of this year’s tournament alongside the United States and Canada, Mexico will play their final warm-up match against Serbia on Thursday.

Their World Cup campaign kicks off on June 11 at Mexico City’s Estadio Azteca against South Africa. They’ll then face South Korea in Zapopan on June 18 before closing group play against the Czech Republic back at the Azteca on June 24.

Full Mexico World Cup Squad

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

Defenders: Jorge Sánchez (PAOK), Israel Reyes (Club América), César Montes (Lokomotiv Moscow), Johan Vásquez (Genoa), Jesús Gallardo (Toluca), Mateo Chávez (AZ).

Midfielders: Erik Lira (Cruz Azul), Orbelín Pineda (AEK Athens), Álvaro Fidalgo (Real Betis), Roberto Alvarado, Brian Gutiérrez, Luis Romo (Guadalajara), Edson Álvarez (West Ham), Obed Vargas (Atlético Madrid), Gilberto Mora (Tijuana), Luis Chávez (Dynamo Moscow).

Forwards: César Huerta (Anderlecht), Alexis Vega (Toluca), Julián Quiñones (Al-Qadsiah), Guillermo Martínez (UNAM), Armando González (Guadalajara), Santiago Giménez (AC Milan), Raúl Jiménez (Fulham).