Why Chicharito isn't playing for Mexico at the 2026 World Cup
Javier "Chicharito" Hernández is not playing for Mexico at the 2026 World Cup because head coach Javier Aguirre left him off the final squad. Mexico's all-time leading scorer has been without a club since December 2025, struggled for minutes at Chivas, and was not part of Aguirre's plans for players arriving with competitive rhythm. The omission closes another chapter for a striker who has not worn the national jersey since a September 2019 friendly against the United States.
As Mexico prepared for a round-of-16 meeting with Ecuador, one of the country's most recognizable names was missing from the pitch — but not entirely from the tournament.
Key Takeaways
- Aguirre excluded Chicharito from Mexico's final World Cup roster despite his status as the nation's record goal scorer.
- The 37-year-old has been clubless since leaving Chivas in December 2025 after scoring four goals in under 900 minutes.
- Chicharito also missed Qatar 2022 and has not played for El Tri since September 2019.
- He is covering the tournament as a Fox Sports analyst and says he is not retiring.
- Fellow veteran Hirving "Chucky" Lozano was left out for similar reasons tied to a lack of 2026 match action.
Why did Javier Aguirre leave Chicharito off Mexico's World Cup squad?
According to Prensa Libre, Aguirre prioritized tactical fit and competitive continuity over reputation when he named his definitive list. Chicharito was not a surprise omission: he was also absent from Qatar 2022.
Aguirre's message was consistent across the roster. Hirving Lozano, another veteran forward, was not called either after spending 2026 without a competitive match following a dispute with San Diego FC coach Mikey Varas in MLS.
What ended Chicharito's club form before the tournament?
Chicharito's last club stint ended badly. He left Chivas in December 2025 with just four goals in fewer than 900 minutes and never locked down a starting role. That lack of rhythm at 37 made him a hard sell for a short World Cup window where managers want players in form.
That pattern mirrors what coaches increasingly weigh beyond raw talent: match minutes and readiness matter as much as legacy. For more on how competitive continuity shapes performance at any age, see our Longevity & Biohacking coverage.
Is Chicharito still involved in the 2026 World Cup?
Yes — from the broadcast booth. Prensa Libre reported that Chicharito joined a sports network's commentary team for the tournament, while Bolavip identified Fox Sports as his broadcaster. In May, after missing the preliminary squad, he publicly wished Aguirre's team well.
He also pushed back on retirement rumors. In a social video, the 37-year-old said he was not quitting and planned to reveal his next career steps in July.
How is Mexico's World Cup story unfolding without him?
While Chicharito watched from the studio, Mexican supporters packed Monterrey on June 29 to back Morocco in a round-of-16 penalty shootout win over the Netherlands, reviving the "no era penal" chant from the teams' 2014 meeting. The next day, El Tri turned its focus to Ecuador and a knockout path built without its historic No. 9.