Veteran goalkeeper Ochoa selected for Mexico's sixth World Cup in 2026

Guillermo Ochoa aims to compete in a record sixth World Cup with Mexico's 2026 squad.

Ochoa joins elite World Cup list Guillermo Ochoa is set to become one of the first players to appear in six World Cup tournaments after being included in Mexico's squad for this summer's event. The 40-year-old goalkeeper will join Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in this exclusive group. While Messi and Ronaldo are expected to play key roles for Argentina and Portugal respectively, Ochoa has featured less frequently for Mexico in recent times. Ochoa first stepped onto the World Cup stage in 2006 during the tournament in Germany and spent the previous season playing for AEL Limassol in Cyprus. ## Mexico's squad reveals new and veteran talent Javier Aguirre has named a 26-man squad for Mexico's World Cup campaign, led by captain Edson Alvarez, who completed a season-long loan at Fenerbahce from West Ham. Among the younger talents is 17-year-old Gilberto Mora, who will become the youngest player ever to represent Mexico at a World Cup. Armando Gonzalez, aged 23, is another rising star included in the selection. The squad also features dual nationals Obed Vargas and Brian Gutierrez, who have developed their careers in the United States. ## Naturalized players strengthen Mexico's lineup Aguirre has selected midfielder Alvaro Fidalgo, born in Spain, and forward Julian Quinones, born in Colombia, both of whom have become key figures for the national team after naturalization. The manager brings significant World Cup experience to the role, having previously guided Mexico at the 2002 and 2010 editions. The tournament will be hosted jointly by Mexico, the United States, and Canada. Mexico's final preparation match takes place against Serbia this Thursday. ## Mexico's World Cup group stage schedule revealed Mexico will begin their World Cup campaign with a match against South Africa at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City on June 11. Their second group game is scheduled for June 18 in Zapopan against South Korea. The group stage concludes on June 24 at Estadio Azteca with a fixture against the Czech Republic. This will mark the first time the World Cup is co-hosted by three nations. ## Mexico's full 26-man World Cup squad announced Goalkeepers: Raul Rangel (Guadalajara), Guillermo Ochoa (AEL Limassol), Carlos Acevedo (Santos Laguna). Defenders: Jorge Sanchez (PAOK), Israel Reyes (Club America), Cesar Montes (Lokomotiv Moscow), Johan Vasquez (Genoa), Jesus Gallardo (Toluca), Mateo Chavez (AZ). Midfielders: Erik Lira (Cruz Azul), Orbelin Pineda (AEK Athens), Alvaro Fidalgo (Real Betis), Roberto Alvarado, Brian Gutierrez, Luis Romo (Guadalajara), Edson Alvarez (West Ham), Obed Vargas (Atletico Madrid), Gilberto Mora (Tijuana), Luis Chavez (Dynamo Moscow). Forwards: Cesar Huerta (Anderlecht), Alexis Vega (Toluca), Julian Quinones (Al-Qadsiah), Guillermo Martinez (UNAM), Armando Gonzalez (Guadalajara), Santiago Gimenez (AC Milan), Raul Jimenez (Fulham).