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Midfielder Gilberto Mora, aged 17, could become the youngest Mexican player to appear at a World Cup.
He was among the first 12 players selected by coach Javier Aguirre on Tuesday for Mexico’s World Cup squad, all from the local Liga MX. They start training together next Monday.
Aguirre also called eight more people to complete the training sessions until the European-based players arrive at the end of May.
Mora just returned to playing for Tijuana after a groin injury sidelined him for two months. The youngest Mexican player in the World Cup is Manuel “Chaquetas” Rosas, who was 18 years and 88 days old when he played in the first World Cup in 1930.
“I had an injury that kept me out for most of the (Liga MX) but I’m happy to be back,” Mora said on Saturday. “The recovery was a bit long but thank God I’m fine now, I feel good physically and ready for what’s next. I’m 100% in all aspects.”
Seven 17-year-olds, including Pelé, have appeared in a World Cup, the youngest of them being Northern Ireland’s Norman Whiteside in 1982 in Spain.
Depending on when Mora makes his World Cup debut — Mexico opens against South Africa on June 11 — he will become the sixth or seventh youngest ever.
The teenager made waves in Liga MX and started for the Mexican team that won the Gold Cup in 2025. But his injury ruled him out of Mexico’s last six matches.
“Morita” could return for Mexico on May 22 in a World Cup warm-up match against Ghana in Puebla, Mexico.
Mora already has several younger records. As of August 2024, he was the youngest to start and score in the Mexican First Division at age 15. In January 2025, he was the youngest to debut for Mexico at age 16.
Mexico:
Goalkeepers: Raul Rangel (Chivas), Carlos Acevedo (Santos).
Defenders: Israel Reyes (America), Jesus Gallardo (Toluca), Luis Romo (Chivas)
Midfield: Erik Lira (Cruz Azul), Brian Gutiérrez (Chivas), Gilberto Mora (Tijuana), Roberto Alvarado (Chivas)
Forwards: Alexis Vega (Toluca), Guillermo Martinez (Pumas), Armando González (Chivas).
Associated Press reporting.
