Mexico manager Javier Aguirre has selected goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, making the 40-year-old keeper one of only three players in history to appear in six consecutive World Cup squads—alongside Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal and Argentina's Lionel Messi. The announcement carries particular resonance for Portuguese football fans, as Ochoa spent last season playing for AVS in the Primeira Liga, while two other squad members have direct ties to clubs in Portugal.
This selection holds practical importance for Portuguese observers. Portugal will compete in Group K alongside Colombia, Uzbekistan, and DR Congo, while Mexico opens in Group A, and both nations hope to advance deep into the knockout stages. As co-hosts alongside the United States and Canada, Mexico enters with automatic qualification and the considerable advantage of playing on familiar ground.
The Ochoa Factor: Six Tournaments, Three as Starter
Ochoa's inclusion in the Mexico squad represents both a career achievement and a pragmatic insurance policy. The veteran goalkeeper, currently playing for AEL Limassol in Cyprus, featured in World Cup rosters for 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022, and now 2026, but only served as Mexico's starting keeper in three of those editions (2014, 2018, 2022). He gained international acclaim for crucial saves against Brazil in 2014 and a penalty stop against Robert Lewandowski in 2022, cementing his reputation as Mexico's most-capped goalkeeper in history.
His call-up was boosted by an injury to Luis Ángel Malagón, who had been competing for the starting role. Ochoa will likely serve as backup in 2026, contrasting sharply with Ronaldo and Messi, who remain central figures for their national teams despite their advancing age. Ochoa has indicated he plans to retire after the tournament, closing a two-decade international career.
His connection to Portuguese football came during the 2024/25 season with AVS, where he provided experienced presence to the Primeira Liga club. While his time in Portugal's top division was relatively brief, it added another chapter to a nomadic career that has spanned clubs across Europe and the Americas.
Two More Portugal Connections in the Squad
Aguirre's 26-player roster includes defender Jorge Sánchez, who played for FC Porto on loan from Ajax during the 2023/24 campaign, and forward Raúl Jiménez, who wore Benfica's colors for three seasons between 2015 and 2018.
Sánchez, a 28-year-old right-back now with PAOK in Greece, was a starter at the 2022 World Cup and earned an Olympic bronze medal in Tokyo 2021. His versatility—capable of playing across the defensive line and even in midfield—makes him a tactical asset for Mexico's defensive setup. During his loan spell at Porto, he gained valuable experience in one of Europe's elite competitions.
Jiménez, meanwhile, remains a key attacking leader despite being 35 when the tournament kicks off. Portuguese fans remember him from his three productive seasons at Benfica between 2015 and 2018, where he developed into one of Europe's emerging talents. The Fulham striker recently topped the scoring charts in the CONCACAF Nations League 2024-25, netting both goals in the final. His nine goals across 2,199 minutes this season demonstrate he remains a reliable scoring threat. Jiménez has openly described the home World Cup as a "revenge opportunity" after Mexico's disappointing group-stage exit in 2022, their worst performance since 1978.
Home Advantage and Historical Expectations
Mexico's best World Cup performances came when hosting the tournament—quarterfinal runs in 1970 and 1986. Aguirre, in his third stint as national team manager after previous tenures ahead of the 2002 and 2010 World Cups, has been tasked with revitalizing a squad that underperformed at the 2024 Copa América and failed to escape the group stage in Qatar. Since his appointment in July 2024, Aguirre has overseen an unbeaten seven-match streak and secured draws against European heavyweights Portugal and Belgium in friendlies.
Mexico will open its campaign on June 11 against South Africa at the Estadio Azteca, followed by matches against South Korea in Guadalajara and the Czech Republic back at the Azteca in Group A.
The coach has integrated 13 new players into the squad compared to four years ago, including 17-year-old midfielder Gilberto Mora, who could become one of the youngest players ever to appear in a World Cup. This blend of emerging talent and seasoned campaigners reflects Aguirre's strategy to balance ambition with realism. Sporting director Duilio Davino has publicly expressed confidence in Aguirre's ability to navigate the tournament, though it has been confirmed that Rafael Márquez will take over after 2026, regardless of results. Márquez is currently serving as Aguirre's assistant.
The Milestone Shared by Ronaldo and Ochoa
The appearance by both Ronaldo and Ochoa in their sixth World Cup represents two contrasting career arcs. While Ronaldo remains a central figure for Portugal's attack and holds the record for scoring in five different World Cups, Ochoa's legacy is defined by spectacular saves rather than prolific statistics. Messi, for his part, holds the outright record for most World Cup appearances by any male player with 26 matches, along with 13 goals and 8 assists across five tournaments, culminating in Argentina's 2022 title.
Ochoa's journey, though less decorated in terms of silverware, represents remarkable longevity and consistency. His 2026 appearance will mark 20 years since his first World Cup call-up, a testament to both physical durability and the technical excellence that earned him international recognition despite playing for clubs outside Europe's top five leagues for much of his career.
The Road Ahead
Mexico enters the tournament with measured optimism. Analysts generally view the Round of 16 as a realistic ceiling, but home advantage and Aguirre's tactical acumen could propel the team further. The opening match against South Africa on June 11 will set the tone, with subsequent fixtures against South Korea and Czech Republic determining whether Mexico can avoid the group-stage disappointment that plagued them in Qatar.
For Ochoa, the tournament represents a final chapter. For Jiménez and Sánchez, it offers a chance to cement legacies and deliver for passionate home crowds. For Portuguese football fans, these players represent a tangible connection to the tournament—familiar faces who once competed in the Primeira Liga now taking centre stage on the world's grandest stage.
