Orbelín Pineda

Orbelín Pineda is named in Mexico's provisional squad for the 2026 World Cup, a central midfielder in the co-hosts' group under Javier Aguirre. Mexico have yet to confirm their final 26, due on 1 June 2026, so his place is still to be settled. The AEK Athens midfielder is 30 at kick-off and brings 90 senior Mexico caps and 12 international goals into the group, a steady scorer from midfield over a long international run.

Mexico open Group A at home to South Africa at the Estadio Azteca on 11 June, with South Korea and the Czech Republic to follow. Aguirre's possession-based side qualified automatically as tournament hosts, and Pineda is listed among the midfielders in that provisional group, where Edson Álvarez is the captain.

Pineda is a central midfielder in Mexico's provisional midfield group, with 90 caps and 12 international goals showing a long-running senior role and regular scoring from the centre. Aguirre's side uses a possession-first model, and Pineda gives that group another experienced option during the final-squad build-up.

For Mexico, his confirmed profile is straightforward: 30 at kick-off, AEK Athens as his club, 90 caps, 12 goals, and a place in the provisional squad. Until the final 26 is announced, his World Cup profile rests on that midfield listing and proven international record.

Pineda's Goal Rush relevance starts with his midfield scoring record: 12 international goals from a central-midfield profile, plus 90 Mexico caps while the final squad is still pending. Mexico sit in Tier 3 at £17m within the game's £200m card budget. Group A begins with South Africa at the Estadio Azteca before South Korea and Czech Republic, so the team-slot case rests on Mexico's mid-tier price and Pineda's grounded caps-and-goals profile.