'World Cup Vampire' Guillermo Ochoa to make 6th consecutive appearance, standing alongside Messi and Ronaldo... Mexico, South Korea's second-round opponent, announces final roster

*This content was translated by AI.

Mexico, the host of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America and the second opponent of Hong Myung-bo's team in the group stage, has finalized its final roster.

The Mexican Football Federation officially announced the 26th-player squad for the World Cup on the 1st (Korean time). The most notable name is veteran goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa (AEL Limassol). Ochoa, who has participated in every World Cup since 2006 in Germany, will make his sixth consecutive appearance in the tournament finals. This is a historic feat that places him on par with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

The attacking lineup features key strikers including Raul Jimenez, who plays for Fulham in the English Premier League (EPL), and Santiago Jimenez of Italy's Serie A AC Milan.

The selection of 17-year-old 'rising star' midfielder Gilberto Mora (Tijuana) also drew attention. Born in 2008, Mora debuted for the senior national team last year and is already a key prospect who has played 9 matches. Additionally, naturalized players such as Alvaro Pidalgo (Real Bettes), born in Spain, and Julian Quiñones (Al-Qadsiah), of Colombian descent, will wear the Mexican jersey and compete in the World Cup.

Coach Javier Aguirre filled nearly half of the roster, 12 players, with athletes from the domestic league. In particular, five players from Guadalajara, which uses the Akron Stadium (the venue for the second group stage match against South Korea) as its home ground, are included, maximizing the home-field advantage.

Mexico will play a final friendly match against Serbia in Toluca on the 5th. Following this, they will begin the World Cup opener against South Africa on the 12th (Group A, Match 1), followed by matches against South Korea on the 19th and Czech Republic on the 25th.

▶Goalkeepers: Raul Angel (Guadalajara), Carlos Acevedo (San Toss Laguna), Guillermo Ochoa (AEL Limassol)

▶Defenders: Jesus Gallardo (Toluca), Cesar Montes (Lokomotiv Moscow), Jorge Sanchez (PAOK), Joao Vasquez (Genoa), Mateo Chavez (AZ Alkmaar), Israel Reyes (America), Eric Lira (Cruz Azul), Edson Alvarez (Fenerbahce)

▶Midfielders: Obed Vargas (Atletico Madrid), Luis Chavez (Dynamo Moscow), Roberto Alvarado, Luis Romo, Brian Gutierrez (all from Guadalajara), Alvaro Pidalgo (Real Betis), Orbelin Pineda (AEK Athens), Cesar Huerta (Anderlecht), Gilberto Mora (Tijuana), Alexis Vega (Toluca)

▶Forwards: Julian Quiñones (Al-Qadsiah), Guillermo Martinez (Pumas), Armando Gonzalez (Guadalajara), Santiago Jimenez (AC Milan), Raul Jimenez (Fulham)

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*This content was translated by AI.