At 40 years old, Guillermo Ochoa is on his way to set an unprecedented record for Mexican football. The goalkeeper confirmed that he will be part of the final process heading to the Copa World of 2026, which will place him as the only player from the country to achieve six World participations, a figure that will expand his place in the history of the national team.

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The goalkeeper advanced his presence at the next international event through a message on social networks, in which he informed his incorporation to the High Performance Center to join the concentration of the c combined directed by Javier Aguirre. The call occurs in a context of adjustments in the goal after the injury of Luis Ángel Malagón, a situation that opened up space for the veteran goalkeeper.

Mexico's debut in the tournament will be against South Africa, in a World Cup that will have as Mexico, United States and Canada. For Ochoa, the participates tion will mean matching the number of tournaments to figures like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, who would also reach their sixth World Cup.

A personal message before the last challenge

In his publication, the goalkeeper let see the special meaning of this new concentration, by ensuring that he is going through this stage with a different perspective with respect to his previous call-ups to the national team.

“Putting this t-shirt back on was never routine... was a privilege. Today begins my last concentration. But this time I'm looking different to. With a fuller heart, with more scars, more memories... and the same illusion of that child who one day dreamed of defending this shield.”

Ochoa pointed out that the passage of time has not modified his link with the team. He also remembered experiences accumulated during his international career, such as matches on emblematic stages and moments that, as he expressed, transformed his life.

The goalkeeper reaffirmed that connection with another phrase included in his message: “I'm at home. I'm with my team. And as long as there's an opportunity to fight for this country… my soul will be there first.”

A historical brand for Mexican football

Ochoa's career in World Cups already places him among the most important referents in Mexican football. So far, the goalkeeper has five editions contested and he has received 11 goals in those tournaments. In addition, he managed to keep his goal on zero in four matches and he was never expelled in a World Cup tournament.

The next official call of the Mexican team still must be presented by Aguirre, but the statements of the player anticipate that he will be part of the definitive squad. If it comes to fruition, the goalkeeper will close a tour that maintained him for two decades as one of the most constant figures of the national team.

The presence of Ochoa will also coincid with the beginning of a generational transition in the tri's goal, although his experience will continue to be a central piece in the preparation of the competition that will start in June 2026.