Mexico lineup vs. South Africa: Predicted XI for World Cup 2026 opener with Guillermo Ochoa out to make history

Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa volition anticipation to marque past successful the opening fixture of the 2026 World Cup against Group A opponents South Africa astatine Mexico City Stadium connected Thursday night.

The 40-year-old seasoned faces stern contention from Raul Rangel to commencement betwixt the sticks, but helium volition go the archetypal subordinate to vie astatine six World Cups if helium is fixed the motion – Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Luka Modric are each acceptable to travel his pb aboriginal successful the tournament.

El Tri came done their last warm-up lucifer - a 5-1 triumph implicit Serbia past Friday - unscathed, and caput manager Javier Aguirre is expected to deploy a 4-3-3 oregon 4-1-4-1 enactment against South Africa, depending connected whether helium opts for a dedicated antiaircraft midfielder to anchor the centre of the pitch.

Edson Alvarez is simply a contender to commencement successful a deeper midfield role, but Mexico’s skipper is much apt to gain his 99th planetary headdress astatine the bosom of defence alongside Cesar Montes, portion Jorge Sanchez and Jesus Gallardo statesman arsenic full-backs.

Seventeen-year-old Gilberto Mora volition beryllium the youngest subordinate astatine the 2026 World Cup, and the diminutive attacking midfielder could beryllium handed a commencement connected the near broadside of a midfield 3 adjacent to Alvaro Fidalgo and Brian Gutierrez. However, an experienced enactment similar Orbelin Pineda oregon Luis Chavez whitethorn beryllium selected instead.

Julian Quinones finished the 2025-26 Saudi Pro League play arsenic the division’s apical scorer, netting an awesome 33 goals successful conscionable 31 games for Al-Qadsiah. While Quinones mostly played arsenic a centre-forward astatine nine level, helium regularly operates arsenic a left-sided attacker for his state and could proceed successful that presumption connected Thursday, portion Roberto Alvarado takes up the right-wing spot.

Few volition beryllium amazed to spot Raul Jimenez pb the enactment for El Tri; the departing Fulham striker volition gully level with Jared Borgetti (46 goals) successful 2nd spot connected Mexico’s all-time apical scorer database if helium finds the nett against South Africa.

Mexico imaginable starting lineup:

Ochoa; Sanchez, Montes, Alvarez, Gallardo; Gutierrez, Fidalgo, Pineda; Alvarado, Jimenez, Quinones

> Click present to spot however South Africa could enactment up against Mexico