Veterans of the World Cup like Guillermo Ochoa, Raul Jimenez, and Hirving Lozano didn’t make it to Mexico’s Copa America squad on Friday. Together, they have participated in 10 World Cups.
Ochoa, who will be 39 in July, has been Mexico’s main goalkeeper in the last three World Cups, but he recently lost his starting spot with Salernitana in Serie A, and his contract with the club was ending.
Ochoa played as a starter in the 2014, 2018, and 2022 World Cups and was a substitute in 2006 and 2010.
“I talked to ‘Memo,'” said Mexico coach Jaime Lozano on Friday, “to inform him about the decision, but it doesn’t mean he’s out for the 2026 World Cup. We just want to give other players a chance.”
Jiménez, 32, participated in the 2014, 2018, and 2022 World Cups, mostly as a substitute in the last one. The striker has played very little in 2024 for Fulham in the English Premier League, without scoring since Dec. 31.
He hasn’t played for the national team since Nov. 18 and wasn’t called up for the last three squads.
Lozano, 28, just won the Dutch Eredivisie, scoring six goals in 22 games. “Chucky” Lozano was part of the last two World Cups. “It’s always tough; I don’t like leaving players out,” Lozano said. “It was difficult to announce it to everyone, but they took it better than I expected. They showed support and team spirit, and they understood.”
