Guillermo “Memo” Ochoa, the goalkeeper who became synonymous with Mexican soccer for two decades, has announced he will retire from professional soccer after the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The 40-year-old made the declaration during a FIFA interview, saying he no longer finds fulfillment in continuing beyond what will be his final tournament with the national team.
Mexico is co-hosting the 2026 World Cup alongside the United States and Canada, meaning Ochoa gets to take his final bow on home soil.
A sixth World Cup and the company it keeps
The 2026 tournament will mark Ochoa’s sixth World Cup appearance. That number puts him in rarefied air, matching the record held by Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
To put the six-tournament streak in perspective, Gianluigi Buffon, widely regarded as one of the greatest keepers ever, appeared in five. Ochoa will surpass that mark when Mexico takes the field this summer.
