MEXICO.- Recently incorporated into the concentration of Mexicothe historic goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa considered this Friday that his presence in the World Cup 2026 is yet to be defined and that, if called up, he does not have guaranteed ownership for the opening match against South Africa.
Without the final call confirmed yet, Ochoa’s record of participating in six World Cupswhich can also be signed by Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messiremains in suspense.
“I hope to be on the final list to play on the 11th (June),” said the 40-year-old goalkeeper, prior to El Tri’s training this Friday at the Mexico City.
Of his five previous World Cup experiences, which began in Germany 2006Ochoa was a starter in the three most recent, in Brazil 2014, Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022.
But “just because he has played in the last World Cup does not mean that the coach (Javier Aguirre) decide that that’s why he has to put me on,” said the goalkeeper of the AEL Limassol of Cyprus.
“Memo” Ochoa is part, along with five other goalkeepers, of the preliminary list of 55 footballers that “El Vasco” Aguirre delivered to the FIFA one month before the start of the World Cup.
The other five archers are Raul Rangel (26 years old, from Guadalajara), Carlos Acevedo (30 years old, Saints), Antonio Rodriguez (33 years old, Tijuana), Carlos Moreno (28 years old, Pachuca) and Alex Padilla (22 years old, Athletic Bilbao).
“I have to earn it”
Ochoa said that he is living the possibility of playing in the sixth World Cup, which begins on June 11 and ends on July 19 in USA, Canada and Mexico“with the same enthusiasm as when I was a child.”
The final call “I have to earn it during all this time, in these days of training or in friendly matches,” said the former goalkeeper of the Ajaccio of France.
Before Mexico delivers the final list of 26 players to FIFA on June 1, Ochoa will have the chance to appear in the Mexican goal in two preparation matches: May 22 against Ghanain Puebla, and on May 30 in front of Australiain Pasadena, United States.
