Overview
- Coach Javier 'Vasco' Aguirre named 17-year-old Gilberto Mora to Mexico’s 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup, making him the tournament’s youngest rostered player.
- Mora rose through Xolos de Tijuana’s system, debuting in Liga MX as a 15-year-old and scoring his first club goal in the match after his debut.
- During the 2025–26 season Mora played 20 matches with 17 starts for Xolos, scoring six goals and recording one assist.
- Xolos coaches praise Mora’s work routine and maturity, with Sebastián Abreu recounting a standout debut and the club nickname “Piraña” that teammates gave him.
- If Mora actually plays in a World Cup match he would surpass Manuel Rosas as the youngest CONCACAF player to appear at a World Cup and rank among the tournament’s all-time youngest participants.