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Mexico’s preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup are gaining momentum as the tournament co-hosts continue shaping their squad for the competition.

This summer, all eyes will be on Mexico’s World Cup 2026 squad. The tournament will mark a historic moment as Mexico becomes the first country ever to host the World Cup for the third time. Although El Tri may not be among the tournament favourites, they are expected to field one of the most recognisable and experienced squads.

Veteran goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa, aged 40 with 151 international caps, is set to feature in his sixth World Cup. His presence is considered indispensable, as manager Javier Aguirre has named players who collectively boast 1,399 international appearances in his 55-man provisional list.

Jesus Gallardo, Edson Alvarez, and Raul Jimenez form the experienced core of this side ahead of Ochoa. Alongside them, Santiago Gimenez, Cesar Montes, Alexis Vega, and Orbelin Pineda bring further maturity to the squad.

Despite the experience, youthful energy also defines this group, with midfielders Gilberto Mora and Obed Vargas—both on five senior international appearances—highlighted earlier in FourFourTwo’s “The Boy’s A Bit Special” series as rising talents to watch.

Notably, two prominent forwards have been omitted. Hirving Lozano misses the chance to recreate his 2018 heroics, while 33-year-old Henry Martin also fails to make the cut.

The preliminary squad will be trimmed to 26 players before Mexico’s opening fixture against South Africa—a rematch of the opening game of the 2010 World Cup.

Goalkeepers: Guillermo Ochoa (AEL Limassol), Raul Rangel (Guadalajara), Carlos Acevedo (Santos Laguna), Jose Antonio Rodriguez (Tijuana), Carlos Moreno (Pachuca), Alex Padilla (Athletic Bilbao)

Defenders: Jesus Gallardo (Toluca), Cesar Montes (Lokomotiv Moscow), Jorge Sanchez (PAOK), Johan Vasquez (Genoa), Israel Reyes (America), Jesus Alberto Angulo (UANL), Julian Araujo (Celtic), Mateo Chavez (AZ), Victor Guzman (Monterrey), Richard Ledezma (Guadalajara), Everardo Lopez (Toluca), Denzell Garcia (Juarez), Bryan Gonzalez (Guadalajara), Ramon Juarez (America), Eduardo Aguila (Atletico San Luis), Alejandro Gomez (Tijuana), Luis Rey (Puebla)

Midfielders: Edson Alvarez (Fenerbahce), Orbelin Pineda (AEK Athens), Carlos Rodriguez (Cruz Azul), Roberto Alvarado (Guadalajara), Luis Romo (Guadalajara), Luis Chavez (Dynamo Moscow), Erick Sanchez (America), Diego Lainez (UANL), Erik Lira (Cruz Azul), Marcel Ruiz (Toluca), Efrain Alvarez (Guadalajara), Alexis Gutierrez (America), Brian Gutierrez (Guadalajara), Gilberto Mora (Tijuana), Obed Vargas (Atletico Madrid), Jesus Ricardo Angulo (Toluca), Jordan Carrillo (Pumas), Kevin Castaneda (Tijuana), Alvaro Fidalgo (Betis), Jorge Ruvalcaba (New York Red Bulls), Alexei Dominguez (Pachuca), Jeremy Marquez (Cruz Azul), Elias Montiel (Pachuca), Isaias Violante (America)

Forwards: Raul Jimenez (Fulham), Alexis Vega (Toluca), Santiago Gimenez (Milan), Cesar Huerta (Anderlecht), Julian Quinones (Al-Qadsiah), German Berterame (Inter Miami), Guillermo Martinez (UNAM), Armando Gonzalez (Guadalajara)

Upcoming Fixtures:
May 22, 2026: Mexico vs Ghana, Estadio Cuauhtémoc, Puebla, Mexico
May 30, 2026: Mexico vs Australia, Rose Bowl, Pasadena, United States
June 4, 2026: Mexico vs Serbia, Venue TBC, Mexico
June 11, 2026: Mexico vs South Africa, Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, Mexico
June 18, 2026: Mexico vs South Korea, Estadio Akron, Zapopan, Mexico
June 24, 2026: Czechia vs Mexico, Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, Mexico

Recent Results:
March 31, 2026: Mexico 1-1 Belgium, Estadio Azteca, Mexico City
March 29, 2026: Mexico 0-0 Portugal, Estadio Azteca, Mexico City
November 18, 2025: Mexico 1-2 Paraguay, Alamodome, San Antonio, United States
November 15, 2025: Mexico 0-0 Uruguay, Estadio Corona, Torreón, Mexico
October 14, 2025: Mexico 1-1 Ecuador, Estadio Akron, Zapopan, Mexico
October 11, 2025: Mexico 0-4 Colombia, AT&T Stadium, Arlington, United States
September 9, 2025: Mexico 2-2 South Korea, Nissan Stadium, Nashville, United States
September 6, 2025: Mexico 0-0 Japan, Oakland Coliseum, Oakland, United States
July 6, 2025: United States 1-2 Mexico, NRG Stadium, Houston, United States
July 2, 2025: Mexico 1-0 Honduras, Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, United States
June 28, 2025: Mexico 2-0 Saudi Arabia, State Farm Stadium, Glendale, United States
June 22, 2025: Mexico 0-0 Costa Rica, Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, United States
June 18, 2025: Suriname 0-2 Mexico, AT&T Stadium, Arlington, United States
June 14, 2025: Mexico 3-2 Dominican Republic, SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, United States
June 10, 2025: Mexico 1-0 Turkey, Kenan Stadium, Chapel Hill, United States
June 7, 2025: Mexico 2-4 Switzerland, Rice-Eccles Stadium, Salt Lake City, United States
March 23, 2025: Mexico 2-1 Panama, SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, United States

Mexico will compete in Group A at the 2026 World Cup.

In his third spell as Mexico’s head coach, Javier Aguirre brings vast experience to the role. He previously guided Mexico to the Copa America final in 2001 and led them to top their group at the 2002 World Cup before being eliminated by the United States in the round of 16.

He returned to manage Mexico again in 2010, reaching the round of 16 once more, and later won the Gold Cup in 2009—a success he repeated last year during his current tenure.

The 67-year-old tactician’s managerial record spans international stints with Japan and Egypt, as well as club roles with Atletico Madrid and Mexican powerhouses Monterrey and Pachuca.

Few players are as reliable in front of goal as Raul Jimenez. At 34, he remains one of Mexico’s most prolific forwards, boasting 44 international goals—more than any other player in the current squad.

The Fulham striker earned selection following nine goals in 25 Premier League starts in the 2025–26 season. With his consistent form for the Cottagers, Jimenez’s place as Mexico’s lead striker seems well secured heading into the tournament.