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Henry Romero-Imagn Images
Guillermo Ochoa is one of the most well-known Mexican footballers of all time.
And on Wednesday night, he's expected to start in goal for Mexico at the 2026 FIFA World Cup against Czechia.
It's a history-making occasion for Ochoa, but it's also a new opportunity, because he hasn't yet played at this World Cup through two group matches.
UPDATE: This has been updated to reflect that Ochoa didn't get the start after he was supposed to.
MORE: With Messi, history and magic go hand in hand
Why is Guillermo Ochoa not playing tonight?
This was written before news that Ochoa is actually on the bench:
In essence, it's because Mexico has nothing to play for.
Raul Rangel is the new No. 1 keeper, but he is sitting because Mexico has already clinched the top spot in Group A.
By sitting Rangel, the Mexican squad prevents him from getting hurt. But it also gives Ochoa an awesome opportunity.
MORE: Cape Verde captures the magic of sports
What history could Memo Ochoa have made?
This was written before news that Ochoa was on the bench:
He's going to be appearing in his sixth World Cup. That ties the all-time record.
It's a mark that was just set earlier in this tournament by Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Now, Ochoa joins them.
Ochoa's signature hair and impressive leadership skills have allowed him to be relevant to the Mexican national team for two decades.
In some ways, Wednesday night could be his final chapter.
More FIFA World Cup news:
- USA, England can't actually play on July 4th
- Why Norway brought 600 pounds of salmon to the World Cup
- Eloy Room leads Curacao to astounding World Cup history
- It had to be Mo Salah for Egypt
- Lamine Yamal outdoes Messi, Ronaldo in historic moment for Spanish wunderkind
Billy Heyen
Billy Heyen is a freelance writer with The Sporting News. He is a 2019 graduate of Syracuse University who spent his senior year following Jim Boeheim's basketball team around the country. His reporting work has also included extensive high school sports coverage at the Sandusky Register and Rochester Democrat & Chronicle. Adventures in sports writing have also led to in-person coverage of the Buffalo Sabres, Cleveland Guardians, U.S. men's national soccer team and a variety of minor league baseball stories. When people ask if he's seen a movie, the answer is usually "No, I was probably watching sports." Even away from sports, his main hobby is running (much slower than any athlete in these pages).
Source: Sporting News
