Mexico coach defines Ochoa's situation for World Cup debut

Legendary goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa, from Mexico, starts the 2026 World Cup on the bench. Raúl Rangel was chosen by coach Javier Aguirre to start the clash against South Africa, starting at 4 pm (Brasília time), at the Azteca Stadium.

At 40 years old, Ochoa is participating in his sixth World Cup. The goalkeeper for AEL Limassol, from Cyprus, was also at the 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018 and 2022 World Cups.

Mexico is defined with: Raúl Rangel; Israel Reyes, César Montes, Johan Vásquez and Jesús Gallardo; Erik Lira, Álvaro Fidalgo and Roberto Alvarado; Julián Quiñonez, Brian Gutierraz and Raúl Jiménez.

Interestingly, Mexico and South Africa also faced each other in the opening of the 2010 World Cup, held on South African soil. At Soccer City Stadium, in Johannesburg, the teams tied 1-1, with goals from Siphiwe Tshabalala (South Africa) and Rafael Márquez (Mexico).

Home owners, Mexico are looking to achieve their best campaign in a World Cup, surpassing the quarter-finals achieved in 1970 and 1986, when they also hosted the competition.

In the history of the World Cup, Mexico has accumulated 60 games, 17 wins, 15 draws, 28 defeats, 62 goals scored and 101 goals conceded.

How the 48-team World Cup changes the path to the title

Source: CNN