At 40 years old, Mexico’s goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa participated in a 2026 World Cup match, equaling the record for the most appearances in the prestigious international tournament alongside Argentina’s Lionel Messi and Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo.
Ochoa came on as a substitute in the third group stage match against the Czech Republic, which Mexico won 3-0. With this appearance, Ochoa, Messi, and Ronaldo have each featured in six World Cups. Previously, no player had surpassed five World Cup tournaments in their career.
However, there is a nuance: Guillermo was part of Mexico’s squad for the 2006 and 2010 World Cups but did not play in any matches during those tournaments. In the subsequent World Cups, he became a prominent figure, often delivering performances of heroic quality.
Related Stories
