Gilberto Mora Makes History with Mexico at the World Cup
The 17-year-old midfielder entered in the 66th minute and broke a national record that had stood since 1930.
- On Thursday, midfielder Gilberto Mora, 17 years and 240 days old, became Mexico's youngest World Cup player, entering the 2-0 victory against South Africa in the 66th minute at Azteca.
- Born in Chiapas on October 14, 2008, Mora debuted for Club Tijuana before turning 16, breaking the record previously held by Manuel Rosas since the inaugural tournament in 1930.
- More than 80,000 fans inside Mexico City's Azteca celebrated the teenager with chants of "Mora, Mora" after he entered the match, replacing Brian Guti.
- As the youngest player at the expanded 48-team tournament, Mora has attracted interest from European clubs, cementing his status among Mexico's brightest young prospects.
- FIFA has identified the teenager as a top emerging talent, reflecting the confidence coach Javier Aguirre placed in his vision and maturity for this 2026 World Cup.
31 Articles
31 Articles
Los Angeles Times
At the age of 17, Gilberto Mora made his debut in front of the world, although in his native Mexico the presentations are left over.
The pearl of the Mexican National Team debuted in the triumph against South Africa.
At 17 years and 240 days he is the youngest in the field in the tournament. The Mexican talent of Tijuana is already worth at least 26 million
Who is Gilberto Mora? Mexico wonderkid breaks 96-year World Cup record on historic debut
Gilberto Mora made his World Cup debut as Mexico beat South Africa 2-0 at the Estadio Azteca. The 17-year-old midfielder broke a 96-year record to become Mexico's youngest player at the tournament.
The excitement of the opening match of the 2026 World Cup was not limited to the Mexican team's victory and the historic red cards, but the match also witnessed the birth of a new star who wrote his name in gold in the World Cup records, the young Mexican playmaker Gilberto Mora...
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