Javier Aguirre has made clear he will not be moved by sentiment when it comes to selecting his goalkeeper for Mexico's final Group A fixture against Czechia on Wednesday evening. Despite a mounting chorus of voices — from supporters, pundits and even members of the current squad — calling for the legendary Guillermo 'Memo' Ochoa to be handed a start, the Mexico head coach is standing firm.

Ochoa, who turned 40 this year, has already etched his name into football history simply by being named in Mexico's squad for a record sixth World Cup. Yet, remarkable as that achievement is, it has not translated into minutes on the pitch. Raúl Rangel of Chivas has started both of Mexico's matches so far — wins against South Africa and South Korea — and Aguirre has given no indication that will change.

"I've always said, ever since I came back, that I wasn't going to gift anything away, that the 26 players are here on their own merits," Aguirre told reporters. It is a position he has held consistently, and the elimination of three other squad members through injury — Marcel Ruiz, Luis Ángel Malagón and Rodrigo Huescas — has only reinforced his view that competition for places must remain genuine and unsentimental.

A retirement tour that has yet to find its stage

The occasion carries real weight. Ochoa has publicly announced that the 2026 World Cup will be his last as a professional, making this tournament the natural curtain call for one of the most decorated Mexican goalkeepers of his generation. He has appeared at three previous World Cups and the prospect of a fourth appearance, on home soil no less, has captured the imagination of the Mexican public in spades.

Aguirre acknowledged the clamour but offered a wry observation of his own. "Even Memo is getting tired of being asked questions," he said — a remark that suggested the goalkeeper himself is not agitating for preferential treatment, whatever the public mood may be.

There was, however, a moment of concern during training. Aguirre revealed that Ochoa had slipped and that initial fears centred on his knee and possibly his hip. The coach was quick to downplay it. "He kept training," Aguirre said. "For his age, he's doing very well; I saw it more as a scare. He looks good to me." Ochoa remains available for selection alongside fellow keepers Carlos Acevedo and Rangel.

Group winners with nothing left to prove

With Mexico already confirmed as Group A winners and assured of their place in the knockout rounds, Wednesday's match against Czechia carries reduced competitive stakes — which is precisely why many feel this is the ideal moment to reward Ochoa. The argument from supporters and players is straightforward: the result matters less, the occasion matters enormously, and a man who has served El Tri with distinction across more than two decades deserves to play.

Aguirre's counter-argument is equally coherent. A head coach who makes decisions based on loyalty and legacy, rather than form and preparation, risks undermining the meritocratic environment he has worked to build. Rangel has performed well and earned his place; to drop him for purely sentimental reasons could send a troubling message to the wider squad at the very moment momentum is building.

Whether Aguirre eventually relents before kick-off on Wednesday remains to be seen. The market has noted the uncertainty around his selection, and the pressure from within the camp is unlikely to dissipate. But if his press conference is anything to go by, Mexico's coach intends to let football, not folklore, decide who pulls on the gloves.

Frequently asked

Has Guillermo Ochoa played at the 2026 World Cup yet?
No. Ochoa has been named in Mexico's squad for a record sixth World Cup but has not appeared in either of their group stage matches so far. Raúl Rangel has started in goal for both games.
Why is there so much pressure on Aguirre to start Ochoa?
Ochoa, 40, has announced he will retire after this tournament, making the 2026 World Cup his final competitive stage. Fans and even current Mexico players have called for him to be given a farewell start, particularly as Mexico have already qualified for the knockout rounds.
Is Ochoa fit to play against Czechia?
Yes, according to coach Javier Aguirre. Ochoa suffered a slip in training that caused a brief scare around his knee and hip, but he continued training and Aguirre confirmed he is available for selection.