Guillermo Ochoa: "Football is meaningless without Mexico" — hints at retirement after World Cup

Guillermo Ochoa opened up about his relationship with the Mexican national team and the possible end of his career after the 2026 World Cup. In an emotional interview with FIFA for the "Letters That Unite" series, in which the 40-year-old goalkeeper broke down in tears, Ochoa admitted that he does not see the point of football without Mexico.

"The Mexican national team has always been my compass in my career and in my life; it has given me direction," said Ochoa. "I can't understand my career without the national team. I don't know what my career would be without it. And now that (my time with) the national team is coming to an end, I don't see the point in football anymore. I also don't see the point in continuing to play. I enjoyed every moment there. I gave it my all. I will leave confident, high and proud of those experiences."

<figure style="margin:2rem 0;overflow:hidden;border:1px solid #e2e2e2;background:#f9f9f9"><img src="https://static01.nyt.com/athletic/uploads/wp/2026/06/15234042/guillermo-ochoa-1024x683.jpg?width=1920&quality=70&auto=webp" alt="Image" style="width:100%;height:auto;object-fit:contain" loading="lazy" /></figure>

This is the sixth time Ochoa has been a part of the men's World Cup squad—a mark tied with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. The veteran goalkeeper has previously suggested that he will hang up the gloves for Mexico when the tournament that his country co-hosts is over, and with this new statement, it seems that the hint that he may finally say goodbye to playing after the World Cup is even stronger.

As the 2026 World Cup approaches, the final chapter of Ochoa's career—a figure who has long been a pillar of Mexico—and how he will close out his legend on the stage of soccer's biggest tournament remains at the center of talk.

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