Mexico’s national team has announced its 26-man squad for the upcoming Copa America tournament, and the roster is notable for some significant absences. Veteran goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa, along with Hirving ‘Chucky’ Lozano and Raul Jimenez, have been left out as head coach Jaime Lozano opts for a younger generation of players. This decision signals a clear shift in strategy for El Tri as they look towards the 2026 World Cup, where Mexico will be one of the co-hosts.
Ochoa, at 38 years old, is a towering figure in Mexican football and a national team stalwart. His exclusion from the Copa America squad marks the end of an era, at least for this tournament cycle. Despite being included in the March squad for the CONCACAF Nations League and even captaining the side in the final against the U.S., Ochoa will not be traveling to this summer’s Copa America. He played the full 90 minutes in that Nations League final defeat, highlighting his continued presence in the team until recently.
The decision to omit Ochoa, who is third all-time in appearances for Mexico with 150 caps, underscores a strategic pivot towards the future. Sporting director Duilo Davino explicitly stated the focus is on the 2026 World Cup, saying, “We are two years away from our World Cup… we want to take advantage of this great opportunity to not think about the immediacy of the result and project our path to 2026.” This indicates that the Copa America is viewed as an opportunity to blood younger players and build a team for the long term, rather than prioritizing immediate success with familiar veterans.
Coach Jaime Lozano echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of building depth and strength for the future World Cup. “Having a range of players, the most important thing is to get to 2026 with the strongest possible national team,” Lozano stated, suggesting that tough decisions like leaving out Ochoa are necessary steps in this process. The average age of the squad is just 25, signaling a clear injection of youth and a departure from relying on experienced players who have been mainstays for years.
While Ochoa’s absence will be keenly felt by fans, the focus on youth is evident throughout the squad. The midfield, for example, features Edson Alvarez, Orbelin Pineda, and Uriel Antuna as the only players with significant international experience, each boasting over 50 caps. This lack of extensive experience in crucial positions highlights the gamble Mexico is taking by prioritizing development over tried-and-tested veterans like Ochoa.
Mexico’s recent major tournament history also plays a role in this shift. Their disappointing performance at the 2022 World Cup, where they failed to advance from the group stage, led to significant changes. The subsequent coaching instability, with Gerardo Martino departing and Diego Cocca’s brief tenure, culminated in Jaime Lozano taking the reins and seemingly advocating for a new direction.
Hirving Lozano, another notable exclusion, publicly supported the young squad, stating, “Whether I’m on the pitch or supporting from the sidelines, I have my national team jersey tattooed on me like a second skin… Today, the honour falls to you.” His message of encouragement further reinforces the sense of a generational change within the Mexican national team setup.
Mexico’s Copa America journey begins on June 22 against Jamaica, followed by matches against Venezuela and Ecuador. The absence of Guillermo Ochoa marks a significant moment as Mexico embarks on this tournament with a clear eye on building towards the 2026 World Cup and beyond, entrusting a new generation to carry the nation’s footballing hopes.
Mexico’s Copa America Squad
Goalkeepers: Carlos Acevedo (Santos Laguna), Raul Rangel (Guadalajara), Julio Gonzalez (Pumas UNAM)
Defenders: Israel Reyes (Club America), Jorge Sanchez (Porto), Brian Garcia (Toluca), Cesar Montes (Almeria), Johan Vasquez (Genoa), Jesus Orozco (Guadalajara), Gerardo Arteaga (Monterrey), Bryan Gonzalez (Pachuca)
Midfielders: Edson Alvarez (West Ham United), Luis Romo (Monterrey), Erick Sanchez (Pachuca), Orbelin Pineda (AEK Athens), Roberto Alvarado (Guadalajara), Luis Chavez (Dynamo Moscow), Fernando Beltran (Guadalajara), Jordi Cortizo (Monterrey)
Forwards: Marcelo Flores (Tigres), Cesar Huerta (Pumas UNAM), Julian Quinones (Club America), Santiago Gimenez (Feyenoord), Alexis Vega (Toluca), Uriel Antuna (Cruz Azul), Guillermo Martinez (Pumas UNAM)
