*This content was translated by AI.
Mexico, the "host country" belonging to the Korean national soccer team in the 2026 FIFA North American World Cup, is reportedly seeking the return of veteran legend goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa (41, AEK Limasol) to the national team ahead of the World Cup.
According to local media such as TUDN Mexico and Estadio Deportes on the 28th (Korea Standard Time), national team coach Javier Aguirre Mexican is likely to convene Ochoa in two consecutive warm-up matches against Portugal and Belgium in March. Local prediction is that Ochoa is actually a chance to be tested for the last time ahead of the World Cup.
Estadio Deportes said, "The call-up of the warm-up match in March does not guarantee participation in the World Cup, but it could be the last chance for Ochoa to persuade coach Aguirre," adding, "In particular, the match against Portugal led by Cristiano Ronaldo (41, Alnasr) is an opportunity for Ochoa to prove his skills."
According to local reports, Ochoa has not been able to play in the A-match since the quarterfinals against Honduras in the North and Central American Nations League in November 2024. At that time, Mexico was eliminated after losing to Honduras, but has since been away from the national team due to coach Aguirre's exclusion. However, Ochoa has yet to officially announce his retirement from the national team. He has also expressed his will to return to the national team several times.
If Ochoa is called up for a warm-up match in March to prove her competitiveness and head to the North American World Cup stage, she will play in her sixth World Cup stage. He has played on the World Cup stage for five consecutive times, starting with the 2006 World Cup in Germany and the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Ronaldo and Argentina's Lionel Messi (39, Inter Miami) are also preparing to play in their sixth World Cup, and Ochoa can also match them.
As the number of World Cup participants tells us, Ochoa is a legendary goalkeeper representing Mexico. He played 151 A matches, the third-most in Mexican football history. He also played against South Korea during the 2018 World Cup in Russia. Son Heung-min (LAFC) made a goal by breaking through Ochoa, but Mexico won 2-1.
If he returns to the Mexican national team again and shows a formidable competitiveness, he can protect the Mexican goal in the match against Korea in North American World Cup. The match between South Korea and Mexico will be held in the second round of the group stage, and it is likely to be a watershed in the competition for the first place in the group as well as the competition for the round of 32.
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*This content was translated by AI.
