Guillermo Ochoa ‘to start’ Mexico’s 2026 World Cup opener | OneFootball

Guillermo Ochoa could be Mexico’s starting goalkeeper at the 2026 World Cup. Azteca Deportes reports that Javier Aguirre intends to select him for the opener against South Africa at Estadio Ciudad de México.

The América academy graduate was included in the squad after a season in Cyprus. He generally performed well, though the league’s level prompted questions about his call-up.

Raúl Rangel has started Mexico’s recent matches, so he had been expected to be first choice. The report adds Ochoa looked sharp in training and impressed as a substitute against Australia, while Rangel made an error that nearly led to a goal.

Experience is also a factor. Rangel has yet to play an official match for Mexico, so a World Cup appearance would be his competitive debut, while Ochoa offers extensive experience.

There is a precedent from 2010, when Ochoa seemed in line to start but Aguirre opted for ‘Conejo’ Pérez for experience, starting him ahead of Ochoa, who was shining at Club América.

Source: Americayya.net