The 96-year-old World Cup record that could be erased by this young Mexican

This Sunday, Gilberto Mora was included in Mexico’s final 26-man roster for the 2026 World Cup, a call-up that could make him the youngest player ever to represent El Tri at a World Cup.

At 17 years and 239 days old, the midfielder has a chance to break a record that has stood for nearly a century. If head coach Javier Aguirre gives him playing time against South Africa, Mora will become the youngest player to appear in a World Cup game for Mexico.

Manuel Rosas still holds the record

The current mark belongs to Manuel Rosas, better known as “El Chaquetas,” who played at the 1930 World Cup at just 18 years and 88 days old. The historic Mexican player made his World Cup debut in the tournament opener against France.

Several notable players have represented Mexico at a young age throughout the country’s World Cup history. Among them are Andrés Guardado, Hugo Rodríguez, Raúl Arellano and Antonio Mota, all of whom appeared at a World Cup at 19 years old.

From prospect to reality with Mexico

Despite having played only seven international games, Mora already knows what it means to win a title with El Tri. His rise has been rapid, and thanks to his maturity on the field, he has become one of the most promising young players in Mexican soccer.

The teenage midfielder first showcased his potential during the 2025 Gold Cup, a tournament that helped cement his place within the national team setup. Although he did not feature during the group stage, he gradually earned the trust of the coaching staff.

Mora’s standout performance came in the semifinal against Honduras, where he played a decisive role in Mexico’s victory. The Xolos player delivered the assist that led to the game’s only goal, securing El Tri’s place in the final.

Injury setback behind him as World Cup debut nears

A January injury sidelined Mora for several weeks, temporarily slowing his momentum. However, he recovered successfully and has since returned to action for Mexico.

He appeared in the friendly against Ghana and later came off the bench for the final half hour of Mexico’s match against Australia, further strengthening his case ahead of a potential World Cup debut.

Get closer to the game! Whether you like your soccer of the European variety or that on this side of the pond, our AS USA app has it all. Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more. Plus, stay updated on NFL, NBA and all other big sports stories as well as the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.

And there’s more: check out our TikTok and Instagram reels for bite-sized visual takes on all the biggest soccer news and insights.