Mexico World Cup 2026 Squad — Players, Manager & Group

The opening match of the entire tournament — Mexico vs South Africa at the Azteca

Mexico host the opening match of the entire tournament on June 11 at the Estadio Azteca. Mexico vs South Africa. The most iconic football stadium in Latin America, 83,000 fans, the first game of the biggest World Cup in history. The pressure on Javier Aguirre is enormous and the occasion is everything Mexican football has been building toward for years.

Santiago Gimenez — the man Mexico need to deliver

Santiago Gimenez is the man Mexico will look to for goals. The AC Milan striker had an extraordinary season in Serie A and arrives at his home World Cup as one of the most in-form strikers in world football. If Mexico are going to go deep in this tournament Gimenez needs to deliver on the biggest stage of his career.

Raul Jimenez — back and still scoring at 34

Raul Jimenez at 34 is back and still scoring. Nine goals for Fulham this season. He is not the player he was before his skull fracture but he brings experience, leadership and the ability to hold the ball up that Mexico desperately need alongside Gimenez.

Group A is winnable — anything less than qualification would be a disaster

Group A is genuinely winnable. South Africa, South Korea and Czechia are all competitive nations but none of them are world beaters. Mexico as co-hosts with a passionate home crowd advantage should be expecting to qualify from this group with relative comfort. Anything less would be a disaster.

Ochoa at 40 — a legend in the squad but questions remain

The absence of injured first choice goalkeeper Luis Malagon is a blow. Ochoa at 40 comes back in and while he is a legend of Mexican football there are legitimate questions about whether he is still at the required level for a World Cup. He will silence those doubters or prove them right very quickly.

A different squad — younger, more European, built around elite players

This squad has a different feel to recent Mexican World Cup squads. Younger, more energetic, built around players who compete in top European leagues rather than the Liga MX. Aguirre has made brave choices. Whether they pay off will define his legacy.

Who is in Mexico's World Cup 2026 squad?

Full 26-man squad listed above including Santiago Gimenez and Raul Jimenez.

Who is Mexico's manager at World Cup 2026?

Javier Aguirre in his third stint as El Tri manager.

What group are Mexico in at World Cup 2026?

Group A with South Africa, South Korea and Czechia.

When do Mexico play their first World Cup game?

June 11 vs South Africa at Estadio Azteca — the opening match of the entire tournament.

Who is Mexico's captain at World Cup 2026?

Edson Alvarez of Fenerbahce.