Gilberto Mora is the most exciting young talent in Mexican football and the 16-year-old continues to be vital for the U-20 Mexico team in the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup.
Mora has had five goal contributions with the U-20 Mexican National Team in four U-20 World Cup matches. He has led the team to quarterfinals after U-20 Mexico's recent 4-1 win over Chile in the Round of 16.
While the majority of the players in the tournament are seen as players for the future of each player's respective national team, Mora may already be in the plans for the senior Mexican National Team very soon.
Mexican National Team head coach Javier Aguirre spoke ahead of the upcoming friendly matches against Colombia and Ecuador this week.
Aguirre praised Mora as one of the promising players of Mexican football. Due to his age, Mora was expected to play the U-20 World Cup and the U-17 World Cup that will take place next month. While many expected Mora to be part of the U-17 World Cup, Aguirre states that he will not take part in it.
Javier Aguirre on Gilberto Mora & the 2026 World Cup
Ahead of the preparation for the 2026 World Cup, Aguirre is using the upcoming friendly matches to look at players who could make a case for being part of the final World Cup Mexican National Team roster.
Aguirre revealed that Mora going to the U-20 World Cup was part of their plan to develop the player. Mora not participating in the U-17 World Cup puts him in contention to be part of the senior Mexican National team roster for the November friendlies against Uruguay and Paraguay.
"It was for the best of the player [Mora going to the U-20 World Cup]. The best for his development. We thought that sending him to the U-17 World Cup would be too much."
When asked if Mora is potentially a candidate to be part of the final Mexico roster for the 2026 World Cup, Aguirre did not rule him out despite his age. Aguirre calls back to the 2025 Gold Cup, where Mora started knockout games and even the Gold Cup Final against the USA.
"He's 16 years old, four more World Cups to enjoy him, we call can help him. Why not? We started him in the Gold Cup."
Do you see Gilberto Mora starting in the 2026 World Cup for Mexico under Javier Aguirre? Let us know your thoughts.
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