Mexico announce 46-man preliminary squad featuring Ochoa and Santiago Giménez ahead of home World Cup
Mexico manager Javier Aguirre has named a 46-man preliminary squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with a mix of veteran and young players tasked with competing on home soil. The squad includes goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa, who will be making his sixth World Cup appearance, and striker Santiago Giménez, who has been impressing in the Bundesliga with Bayer Leverkusen.
Aguirre's selections are now set to face the challenge of being reduced to a squad of 23-26 players by June 2, the final deadline for teams to submit their final squads. The Mexican manager will have to carefully weigh up the options and make some tough decisions in order to select the best possible team to represent the country in the tournament. The 46-man preliminary squad is a significant increase on previous World Cup squads, reflecting the expanded 48-team format that will be used for the first time in 2026.
The 2026 World Cup will be Mexico's third time as hosts, following successful tournaments in 1970 and 1986. The Estadio Azteca in Mexico City will be the venue for Mexico's opening match on June 11, and the team will be looking to make a strong start in front of their home fans. As the CONCACAF region's representative, Mexico will be looking to make a deep run in the tournament and bring pride to their nation.
"We have a lot of talent in this squad, but we also have a lot of work to do," Aguirre said in a statement. "We will be working hard over the next few weeks to whittle the squad down to the final 23-26 players, and we are confident that we have the players to make a strong impression in the tournament." Santiago Giménez, who has been one of the standout players in the Bayer Leverkusen squad this season, is excited to be included in the preliminary squad. "To be selected for the World Cup is a dream come true for me, and I'm looking forward to the challenge of competing on the biggest stage," he said.
The 2026 World Cup is set to be a highly competitive and unpredictable tournament, with 48 teams from around the world vying for the coveted title. As one of the favorites to make a deep run in the tournament, Mexico will be looking to capitalize on their home advantage and make a lasting impression on the global stage. With a mix of experienced players and young talent, Aguirre's squad has the potential to be a force to be reckoned with in the tournament.
With the preliminary squad now announced, the focus will shift to the next few weeks as Aguirre and his team work to finalize the squad. The Mexican manager will have to make some tough decisions in order to select the best possible team to represent the country, but with the talent at his disposal, he has a strong foundation to work from.
