MEX
FIFA WORLD CUP 2026 · GROUP A · POT 1

Mexico
World Cup 26-man squad

Manager Javier Aguirre · Mexican head coach since 2024 (third spell as Mexico boss). Managed Mexico at 2002 and 2010 World Cups. At 67, returns to lead the hosts — a 4-3-3 traditionalist focused on balance.
MD1 Jun 11 vs South Africa MD2 Jun 18 vs South Korea MD3 Jun 24 vs Czechia
17th World Cup appearance · best finish: Quarter-finals (1970, 1986)
26
Squad size
27.5
Avg. age
14 / 26
Overseas-based
12 / 14
WC veterans / Debutants
TEAM STORY

Javier Aguirre's Mexico announced their final 26 on May 31 (trimmed from 55→51→26). As the third-time hosts (after 1970 and 1986), this is Mexico's 18th World Cup. The opening match at Azteca makes this a historic tournament. After their group-stage exit at Qatar 2022 ended a run of seven straight Round of 16 berths, rebuilding a deep run is the brief for the hosts.

Spine: captain Edson Álvarez (Fenerbahçe, ex-West Ham/Ajax) + Santiago Giménez (AC Milan, joined February 2025) + Raúl Jiménez (Fulham, 44 international goals) + 40-year-old Guillermo Ochoa (AEL Limassol, chasing a 6th consecutive World Cup). 17-year-old prodigy Gilberto Mora (Tijuana) joins the squad. The European core (Milan, Fenerbahçe, Fulham, Atlético, Real Betis, Anderlecht) blends with Liga MX regulars.

Group A opponents: South Africa, South Korea, Czechia. June 11 opening match vs RSA (Azteca) → June 18 vs KOR (Guadalajara) → June 24 vs CZE (Azteca). After their group-stage exit at Qatar 2022 ended seven straight Round of 16 berths, the brief is first to return to the knockouts, then to surpass Mexico 1986's quarter-final and reach a first-ever semi-final.

PREDICTED XI

LIKELY 4-3-3.

Aguirre's preferred 4-3-3. Either veteran Raúl Jiménez or new ace Santiago Giménez (Milan) at No.9, with Vega and Quiñones/Huerta on the wings. Edson Álvarez anchors with Romo and Pineda. CB pair: Montes/Vásquez; full-backs: Sánchez/Gallardo.

4-3-3 (predicted)
KEY PLAYERS

KEY PLAYERS.

The five players who set the tone in the group stage — by role and trait.

4
CDM · DF
Edson Álvarez
Fenerbahçe · 28
98 caps · 7G WC: 2018, 2022
Captain & midfield linchpin
CAPTAIN
11
ST · FW
Santiago Giménez
Milan · 25
47 caps · 6G WC debut
AC Milan striking ace
ACE
13
GK · GK
Guillermo Ochoa
AEL Limassol · 40
152 caps · 0G WC: 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022
40yo legendary keeper, 6th WC
9
ST · FW
Raúl Jiménez
Fulham · 35 · Premier League
123 caps · 44G WC: 2014, 2018, 2022
123-cap veteran No.9
19
CAM · MF
Gilberto Mora
Tijuana · 17
8 caps · 0G WC debut
17yo prodigy surprise
SQUAD

SQUAD 26.

GK GOALKEEPERS 3
DF DEFENDERS 7
MF MIDFIELDERS 8
FW FORWARDS 8
GROUP A

GROUP A.

MEX
Mexico
POT 1
RSA
South Africa
POT 2
KOR
South Korea
POT 2
CZE
Czechia
POT 4
Thu, Jun 11
Mexico vs South Africa
Estadio Azteca · Mexico City
The opening match of World Cup 2026 for host Mexico at Azteca. Their third opening match on home soil after 1970 and 1986 — at 2,250m altitude, dominate South Africa is the target.
View lineups →
MD1
Thu, Jun 18
Mexico vs South Korea
Estadio Guadalajara · Guadalajara
Group A match 2 vs South Korea (Son Heung-min, Lee Kang-in) in Guadalajara. Containing them tests the Montes/Vásquez pairing in the 1,500m altitude.
View lineups →
MD2
Wed, Jun 24
Czechia vs Mexico
Estadio Azteca · Mexico City
Group decider at Azteca vs Czechia. Containing Schick (Leverkusen) tests the midfield — Edson Álvarez must control to secure 3 wins and the top spot.
View lineups →
MD3

Road to the final

Spoiler-free: the potential bracket route by final group position. No results shown.

Win Group A
  1. Round of 32 Jun 30 · Mexico City vs 3rd place (C/E/F/H/I)
  2. Round of 16 Jul 05 · Mexico City vs Winner of Match 80
  3. Quarter-finals Jul 11 · Miami Gardens vs Winner of Match 91
  4. Semi-finals Jul 15 · Atlanta vs Winner of Match 100
  5. Final Jul 19 · East Rutherford vs Winner of Match 101
Runners-up, Group A
  1. Round of 32 Jun 28 · Inglewood vs Runners-up Group B
  2. Round of 16 Jul 04 · Houston vs Winner of Match 75
  3. Quarter-finals Jul 09 · Foxborough vs Winner of Match 89
  4. Semi-finals Jul 14 · Arlington vs Winner of Match 98
  5. Final Jul 19 · East Rutherford vs Winner of Match 102
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