Mexico at the 2026 World Cup: roster, squad, players, group and schedule

After months of anticipation, Javier Aguirre unveiled the 26 players who will represent Mexico at the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico. With the biggest tournament in international soccer starting today, the veteran coach has a roster he believes can challenge for the sport’s ultimate prize.

This is Mexico’s 18th time in what they call the World Cup finals. They qualified for the first one in 1930, and have been a regular in the tournament ever since. In 1934 they failed to qualify, and in the next edition they withdrew.

They failed to qualify in 1974, and 1982 and were banned form the 1990 World Cup for fielding over age players at the 1988 Olympics. In their 17 appearances, the best they have done is reached the quarterfinals. It happened twice in 1970 when the World Cup was hosted in Mexico, and again when Mexico hosted the tournament in 1986. Now that they are co-hosting, should we expect them to at least get to the quarterfinals?

Mexico’s 2026 World Cup squad

Goalkeepers

• Raúl “Tala” Rangel (Chivas)
• Carlos Acevedo (Santos Laguna)
• Guillermo Ochoa (AEL Limassol, Cyprus)

Defenders

• Israel Reyes (América)
• Jorge Sánchez (Cruz Azul)
• César Montes (Lokomotiv Moscow, Russia)
• Edson Álvarez (West Ham United, England)
• Johan Vásquez (Genoa, Italy)
• Jesús Gallardo (Toluca)
• Mateo Chávez (AZ Alkmaar, Netherlands)

Midfielders

• Álvaro Fidalgo (Real Betis, Spain)
• Brian Gutiérrez (Chivas)
• Orbelín Pineda (AEK Athens, Greece)
• Erik Lira (Cruz Azul)
• Luis Romo (Chivas)
• Obed Vargas (Atlético Madrid, Spain)
• Gilberto Mora (Tijuana)
• Luis Chávez (Dynamo Moscow, Russia)

Forwards

• Roberto “Piojo” Alvarado (Chivas)
• César “Chino” Huerta (Anderlecht, Belgium)
• Guillermo “Memote” Martínez (Pumas)
• Armando “Hormiga” González (Chivas)
• Santiago Giménez (AC Milan, Italy)
• Raúl Jiménez (Fulham, England)
• Julián Quiñones (Al-Qadsiah, Saudi Arabia)
• Alexis Vega (Toluca)

Who’s missing for Mexico World Cup?

As Aguirre has repeatedly stated throughout the process, not every decision would be popular.

Marcel Ruiz was among the biggest surprises. Despite helping Toluca win the Concacaf Champions Cup, his decision not to undergo surgery after suffering a partial ligament tear ultimately worked against him. Concerns over his lack of match fitness following the injury reportedly influenced the coaching staff’s decision.

Carlos “Charly” Rodríguez also narrowly missed out. The Cruz Azul midfielder played a key role in the club’s Clausura 2026 title run, but his strong domestic form was not enough to earn a place in Aguirre’s final roster.

Germán Berterame paid the price for a difficult start to life in MLS. After joining Inter Miami, the naturalized Mexican striker struggled to find his best form, and those early performances appear to have cost him a ticket to the World Cup.

Diego Lainez enjoyed a productive season with Tigres, but he had largely fallen out of Aguirre’s plans in recent months and was no longer a regular part of the national team setup.

Mexico’s World Cup schedule

June 11 against South Africa at Estadio Azteca.

June 18 against South Korea

June 24 against Czechia

With the tournament taking place largely on home soil, expectations will be higher than ever as Mexico seeks its deepest World Cup run in history.

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