World Cup 2026: Mexico has retained veteran goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa

Guillermo Ochoa is hoping to play in a record sixth World Cup after being named in Mexico’s squad for this summer’s tournament.

The 40-year-old goalkeeper has joined Lionel Messi And cristiano ronaldo Became the first player to be selected for the sixth World Cup.

Former Ballon d’Or rivals Messi and Ronaldo will feature prominently for Argentina and Portugal respectively, but Ochoa has seen limited action for Mexico in recent years.

Ochoa made his World Cup debut in Germany in 2006 and played for Cypriot side AEL Limassol last season.

Fulham striker Raul Jimenez is also in Javier Aguirre’s 26-man squad, which will be led by captain Edson Alvarez, who spent last season on loan at Fenerbahce from West Ham.

At 17, Gilberto Mora is set to become the youngest player to represent Mexico at the World Cup, while 23-year-old Armando Gonzalez is another emerging talent to make the cut.

US-developed dual nationals Obed Vargas and Brian Gutierrez are among the young players in the squad, while Aguirre has also selected Spanish-born midfielder Alvaro Fidalgo and Colombian-born forward Julian Quinones – both natural players who have become national team regulars.

This will be Aguero’s third World Cup as Mexico coach, having also led them in the 2002 and 2010 editions.

Mexico is co-hosting this year’s event with the United States and Canada and will play their final warm-up match against Serbia on Thursday.

They then play South Africa in their World Cup opener at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City on June 11, before facing South Korea in Zapopan on June 18 and the Czech Republic at the Estadio Azteca on June 24.