'17-year-old' to play against South Korea in World Cup, Mexico to make '2008-born' bold selection

*This content was translated by AI.

As Mexico prepares to face South Korea in the second group stage match of Group A at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, local media are increasingly predicting that the 2008-born prodigy Gilberto Mora (Tijuana) will be selected to start.

According to multiple Mexican media outlets, including Mediotiempo and TUDN, on the 13th (Korean time), Mexico's national team is expected to have Mora start in the World Cup Group A second match against South Korea, scheduled for 10 a.m. on the 19th at Guadalajara Stadium in Zapopan, Mexico.

Mediotiempo analyzed, "Mora, who has already made history as the youngest player to ever appear in a World Cup for Mexico, may have even better news for the match against South Korea. Given his outstanding performance as a substitute in the previous match against South Africa, it is expected that he will bring changes to Javier Aguirre's coaching plan."

In fact, Mora entered as a substitute in the 21st minute of the second half in the opening match of the World Cup Group A first match against South Africa on the 12th, appearing at the age of 17 years and 204 days, setting a new record for the youngest player to appear in a World Cup in Mexican football history. Moreover, he is Mexico's top prodigy who has consecutively broken various age records, including the club's youngest debut (15 years and 305 days), the youngest goal scorer in Liga MX (15 years and 320 days), and the youngest debut for the Mexican A national team (16 years and 94 days).

In the South Africa match, which was Mora's World Cup debut, he was evaluated as having shown his presence in a short amount of time. He completed all 14 passes with a 100% success rate, recorded one successful dribble, and one successful long pass. Locally, there is a consensus that Mora's presence shown in a short time will lead to a starting opportunity in the match against South Korea. Mora is capable of playing not only as an attacking midfielder but also across the left flank, the front line, and the midfield.

If Mora starts in the match against South Korea, he is expected to replace Alvaro Pidalgo (Real Betis) or Brian Gutierrez (Chivas), who played as second-line midfielders in the South Africa match. In that position, he will aim for the South Korean goal guarded by Kim Seung-gyu (36, FC Tokyo), known as the 'veteran of Hong Myung-bo's team,' who is 18 years older.

Meanwhile, Mexico's key center-back Cesar Montes (Lokomotiv) received a red card in the previous South Africa match and cannot play in the match against South Korea. Edson Alvarez (Fenerbahce) is a strong candidate to replace Montes. Mexico, who defeated South Africa 2-0, is currently leading the group with a superior goal difference against South Korea, who beat Czech Republic 2-1.

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*This content was translated by AI.