Raul Jimenez and 3 Mexico stars to know ahead of 2026 World Cup

Hosts Mexico kickstarted their FIFA World Cup campaign with an entertaining 2-0 win over South Africa, with goals coming from Raul Jimenez and Julian Quinones. South Africa did themselves no favors with a tame approach that allowed Javier Aguirre’s team to see off a comfortable first game.

Under Aguirre, who is set to step down after the tournament, the team has won 53 out of 88 games and won the CONCACAF Gold Cup as well as the Concacaf Nations League in recent years, and fans will be hopeful of a deep run in the knockouts considering the easy group. The outfit is led by the Premier League veteran and Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Jimenez, but Mexico have a deep team capable of scoring against the best defenses, and a relatively easy group to traverse through.

They will proceed to take on South Korea and Czechia, and the first win will undoubtedly give them the impetus to win the group. However, who are the stars expected to emerge as the top performers?

Raul Jimenez

Mexico can be forgiven to be optimistic about being the best-performing host nation this World Cup, and Jimenez is undoubtedly the biggest reason why. With 46 international goals, the 35-year-old is the joint second-highest scorer for his nation behind only Javier Hernandez and is playing in his fourth tournament, per Football Reference.

However, in addition to the experience and leadership, he is also Mexico’s main man upfront and absolutely crucial to the way they play football. Mexico is vastly dependent on its hold-up play to make attacks and make use of quick wingers and runners to supplement Jimenez’s hold-up, which has been his biggest strength throughout his career.

And while the man may not need any introduction, some of his other teammates will be expected to contribute as well, especially considering this is likely Jimenez’s last World Cup.

Edson Alvarez

While the Wolves striker is the main man forward, Edson Alvarez is the spine and the captain of this team. The Fenerbahce star has also played in the Premier League with West Ham United, and even had a successful spell at Ajax.

Alvarez officially reached 100 caps for Mexico in the opener against South Africa, and is the foundation on which the team functions. His ability to mop up attacks and win the ball back was on display against South Africa as well, and while he can be expected to be put under more severe tests as the tournament progresses, Alvarez will be well aware that he is the one doing the dirty job for his team.

Santiago Gimenez

One of the biggest offensive concerns for Mexico in the build-up to this tournament was the lack of truly gifted offensive talent. Critics will argue the team has not had that X-factor since the early days of Hirving Lozano and Chicharito’s retirement, but Gimenez comes closest.

The AC Milan forward did not have the best of seasons for the Italian club and was out for several months due to an ankle injury that required surgery. Since making the move from Feyenoord, Gimenez has played just 37 times for Milan, scoring seven goals in the process.

However, still just 25, Gimenez will be expected to show the kind of form that initially led to the €32 million move back in February 2025. For his former club, Gimenez scored 65 times in just 105 games and remains Mexico’s best hope when it comes to anyone not named Raul Jimenez at the World Cup.

Guillermo Ochoa

No true list about Mexico’s chances at the World Cup is complete without the inclusion of the cult hero that is Guillermo Ochoa. Playing in his sixth and probably his last World Cup, Ochoa has sparked off a barrage of memes since breaking into the mainstream following his performance against Brazil in the 2014 World Cup.

Since then, he has produced multiple memorable moments for Mexico and is most prominently lauded for his display against Germany in the historic 0-0 draw at the 2018 World Cup. He followed that up with a penalty save off Robert Lewandowski in 2022, and is once again a part of the squad after spending his recent years as a journeyman.

Ochoa currently plies his trade at AEL Limassol in Cyprus, and is not the starting goalkeeper for Mexico this time around. However, even if Raúl Rangel continues to be the starter, Ochoa’s experience will undoubtedly come in extremely handy especially in the latter stages. Further, even if Aguirre chooses to keep him on the bench, Ochoa is the keeper you need in pressure situations, and may as well have another historic penalty shootout in his locker, even at the age of 40.

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