Veteran goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa was chosen to receive the Mexican flag in a ceremony held Monday at the High Performance Center (CAR) in Mexico City, ahead of the World Cup’s start on Thursday.
The 26 players who will compete in the tournament were welcomed by Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum in a brief ceremony following their morning training session. Also in attendance were national team coach Javier Aguirre and the president of the Mexican Football Federation, Mikel Arriola, among others.
“I entrust to your patriotism this flag that symbolizes your independence, honor, institutions, our people, and the integrity of your territory,” said the president. “May your example inspire millions of Mexicans to believe in the power of sport and the power of their dreams.”
Sheinbaum wished the players “the greatest success” before handing the Mexican flag to Ochoa, the Tricolor legend who will be playing in his sixth World Cup with the Mexican jersey.
The goalkeeper’s experience will be an important counterpoint in a squad revamped after El Tri’s failure four years ago, when they were eliminated in the group stage at Qatar 2022.
Aguirre, who will lead the national team in a World Cup for the third time, took advantage of playing at home to refresh the squad and take advantage of a young and talented new generation.
In the roster revealed on May 31, “El Vasco” called up 13 players who were not part of the team four years ago, including the promising 17-year-old Gilberto Mora, who could become the youngest Mexican to play in a World Cup.
Mexico, co-host of the largest World Cup in history alongside Canada and the United States, will kick off the tournament next Thursday when they face South Africa in the first match of Group A at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City.
The Mexicans will then play South Korea in Guadalajara on June 17 and will conclude the first round against the Czech Republic on June 24, again at the Azteca.
Source: es-us.noticias.yahoo
