Mexico's national team announced its first call-up list for the 2026 World Cup, consisting solely of Liga MX players. Coach Javier Aguirre selected 12 players as the core group and a support squad of sparrings for preparation. Pumas forward Guillermo ‘Memote’ Martínez stands out as the major surprise.
The Mexican Football Federation revealed Javier ‘El Vasco’ Aguirre's first call-up for 2026 World Cup preparation, featuring 12 Liga MX players eyed for the final roster. Training camp begins May 6 at the Centro de Alto Rendimiento. This follows an agreement with clubs allowing selected players to prioritize national duty over the Clausura 2026 playoffs.
Standouts include goalkeepers Raúl Rangel (Chivas) and Carlos Acevedo (Santos); defenders Israel Reyes (América) and Jesús Gallardo (Toluca); midfielders Luis Romo, Brian Gutiérrez, and Roberto Alvarado (Chivas), Erik Lira (Cruz Azul), and Gilberto Mora (Xolos); forwards Alexis Vega (Toluca), Guillermo ‘Memote’ Martínez (Pumas), and Armando ‘La Hormiga’ González (Chivas). Eight young sparrings were also called up for training support.
‘Memote’ Martínez, born in Celaya, Guanajuato, is the key surprise. Trained at Pachuca, he played in the 2015 U-20 World Cup and nearly quit due to limited minutes. With Pumas, he has 31 goals in 92 games and five in Clausura 2026. “Realmente ha sido maravillosa la llegada y siento que llegué a un mundo nuevo,” he said upon joining the club.
Notable absences include Marcel Ruiz (knee injury), Carlos Rodríguez (club agreement), and others like Diego Lainez and Erick Sánchez. Selections director Duilio Davino stated: “No habrá ninguno en la lista que se pierda la liguilla y que no vaya al Mundial.”
Mexico will play friendlies against Ghana (May 22, Estadio Cuauhtémoc), Australia (May 30, Rose Bowl), and Serbia (June 4, Nemesio Díez). The final roster is due by June 1, adding overseas players, ahead of the June 11 opener against South Africa.
