Why Raul Rangel is Mexico's goalie, not Guillermo Ochoa
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Why Raul Rangel is Mexico's goalie, not Guillermo Ochoa originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Guillermo Ochoa is a recognizable legend for Mexico's national team.
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He's still on the roster at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, too. He isn't starting, though.
Ochoa watches from the sideline as Raul Rangel holds down the No. 1 keeper role.
The man they call 'Memo did get a substitute appearance earlier this tournament to join Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in appearing in a sixth World Cup.
But if Ochoa is on the field during the knockout rounds, it likely means something bad happened to Rangel.
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Why is Raul Rangel Mexico's goalie, not Guillermo Ochoa?
Ochoa has been passed over in the pecking order in recent years.
It wasn't even a given that he'd be called up for this World Cup, but since teams take three goalkeepers, there really wasn't a reason for Mexico to leave him home entirely.
Rangel wasn't actually the first choice.
Luis Malagon got left home because of a torn Achilles.
Ochoa spent this past season playing in Cyprus. He's on the roster of AEL Limassol.
Ochoa played the 2024-25 season in Portugal before moving on to Cyprus for the 2025-26 campaign.
He'll turn 41 on July 13.
Rangel has been huge in this tournament and has validated the choice to start him.