The goalkeeper spot on the Mexican National Team is in trouble, with less than 100 days until the 2026 World Cup.
One big reason is Guillermo Ochoa’s ongoing poor performance. He let in another goal, specifically the second goal by Apollon in the Limassol derby.
This problem is also making headlines in his home country. The AEL keeper’s mistake comes at a terrible time. At 40, Ochoa wants to play in his sixth World Cup. What looked like an easy shift to younger goalkeepers a month ago has turned into a headache for coach Javier Aguirre.
The issue is that all three main candidates for Mexico’s National Team are struggling.
Ochoa is making errors in Cyprus, Raul Rangel had a serious mistake in the Guadalajara derby, and Luis Ángel Malagón lost his starting spot on his team.
Because of this, even after Ochoa’s recent blunder in Cyprus, many still see him as the top choice to start in the first World Cup match against South Africa.
Raul Rangel has support from the coaching staff, but his recent mistakes have raised doubts about him being the starter. Meanwhile, Malagón is no longer starting at his club, which affects his game rhythm.
Right now, the goalkeeper crisis is one of Aguirre’s biggest worries before friendly matches with Portugal and Belgium. The Mexican National Team needs a keeper who can provide security between the posts, and the big question remains…
Will Ochoa’s experience win out at 40 years old, or will younger players get their shot?
The clock is ticking down to the World Cup, and Aguirre must make a decision that all Mexicans hope will be best for their national team.
