Ochoa set for historic sixth World Cup appearance

Veteran Mexican goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa is on the verge of a historic achievement, set to become the first goalkeeper ever to feature in six World Cup finals. The 40-year-old, currently playing for Cypriot club AEL Limassol, will join an elite club of players, including football legends Lionel Messi of Argentina and Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal, who are also participating in their sixth World Cup.

Ochoa's World Cup journey began in Germany in 2006. While his inclusion marks a significant personal milestone, his role in the upcoming tournament might be more as a veteran presence than a starting player. In recent years, he has fallen down the goalkeeping pecking order for the Mexican national team.

Headlining the squad alongside Ochoa are forwards Raul Jimenez, who plays for Premier League side Fulham, and Santiago Gimenez of Italian club AC Milan. The squad also features two naturalized players who have become key figures: Spain-born midfielder Alvaro Fidalgo and Colombia-born forward Julian Quinones. Notably, 17-year-old attacking midfielder Gilberto Mora is set to become the youngest player to represent Mexico at a World Cup.

For head coach Javier Aguirre, this will be his third World Cup at the helm, having previously managed the team in 2002 and 2010, with both campaigns ending in the group stage. Mexico, co-hosting the tournament with Canada and the United States, will kick off the event against South Africa on June 11 in Mexico City. Their subsequent group matches are against South Korea on June 18 and the Czech Republic on June 24. The team aims to replicate the success of the 1970 and 1986 tournaments, when they also hosted the finals and reached the quarterfinals.