Seventeen-year-old midfielder Gilberto Mora could become the youngest Mexican player to appear in a World Cup, after being named to coach Javier Aguirre's preliminary squad on Tuesday.
Mora is among 12 Liga MX players who begin training Monday. Eight others will join until European-based players arrive in late May.
He just returned for Tijuana following a groin injury that sidelined him for two months. Mexico's youngest World Cup player is Manuel "Chaquetas" Rosas, 18 years, 88 days in the 1930 tournament.
"I had an injury that kept me out for most of the season, but I'm happy to be back," Mora said Saturday. "I feel great physically and ready for what's next."
Seven 17-year-olds have played in a World Cup, including Pele. The youngest ever was Northern Ireland's Norman Whiteside in 1982.
Depending on his debut-Mexico opens against South Africa on June 11-Mora would become the sixth or seventh youngest ever.
Mora already holds multiple youngest records: in August 2024, he became the youngest to start and score in the Mexican first division at age 15. In January 2025, he was the youngest to debut for Mexico at 16.