Gilberto Mora is one of Mexico’s brightest hopes for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Mexico have the opportunity—and the pressure—to deliver a strong showing at the 2026 FIFA World Cup as one of the tournament’s three host nations. To do so, they will rely on the talent of their top players, including Gilberto Mora. The attacking midfielder is the youngest player ever to represent Mexico at a FIFA World Cup, at just 17 years old. Born on October 14, 2008, he has already showcased his talent and influence on the field in a short professional career, earning a spot in the 26-man squad selected by head coach Javier Aguirre. Mora made his professional debut for Club Tijuana in August 2024 against Santos Laguna before turning 16 years old. That achievement made him the third-youngest player to debut in Liga MX history, behind Victor Manon and Martin Galvan. He immediately made an impact, recording an assist in his first appearance. Standing just 5-foot-6 (1.68 m), Gilberto is known primarily for his close control with his right foot and outstanding technical ability. He also stands out for his vision and ability to orchestrate his team’s attacks, a rare trait for a player of his age. Gil Mora playing for Club Tijuana. Since his debut in 2024, Mora has made 53 official appearances for Club Tijuana across Liga MX and Leagues Cup competition. In those matches, he has recorded 10 goals and two assists. During the most recent season, 2025-26, the midfielder scored six goals and added one assist in 20 appearances. Gilberto Mora’s journey with the Mexico national team His performances at club level earned Gilberto Mora an early opportunity with the Mexico national team. He represented the country at every youth level from the U-15 team through the U-20 side, with whom he competed at the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup, where they were eliminated by Argentina in the quarterfinals. Mora made his senior national team debut on January 16, 2025, becoming the youngest player in Mexico history to achieve that feat. Since then, he has made nine appearances in official matches and friendlies, recording one assist. He was also part of the squad that won the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup, starting all three knockout-stage matches. How much is Gilberto Mora worth? Gilberto Mora quickly demonstrated the talent and potential to become a future superstar, attracting interest from several European clubs. In that context, Club Tijuana took an important step regarding his future. On June 9, 2026, they signed Mora to a new three-year contract, while also granting him a significant salary increase and handing him the club’s No. 10 jersey. According to reports, the deal also included a €20 million release clause designed to facilitate a future move to Europe.
Gilberto Mora made history with Mexico at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Gilberto Mora made history on Thursday during the Group A opener between Mexico and South Africa. The midfielder came on as a substitute for Alvaro Fidalgo in the 65th minute and became the youngest player in Mexico history to appear in a FIFA World Cup match. At 17 years and 240 days old, Mora broke a record set by Manuel ‘Chaquetas’ Rosas in 1930 that had stood for 96 years. The defender, born in 1912, had been Mexico’s youngest-ever World Cup player after appearing against France at the age of 18 years and 134 days at Uruguay 1930. Other Mexican players near the top of that list include Alfredo Torres (19 years and 16 days at Switzerland 1954), Raul Arellano (19 years and 108 days at Switzerland 1954), Andres Guardado (19 years and 269 days at Germany 2006), and Hugo Sanchez (19 years and 326 days at Argentina 1978). Mora earned the trust of head coach Javier Aguirre after standing out over the last two seasons with Club Tijuana, where he has made 53 appearances while recording 10 goals and two assists. Despite his young age, those performances have not only brought him international recognition but have also attracted interest from several European giants. Teboho Mokoena #4 of South Africa is challenged by Gilberto Mora #19 of Mexico. Other records held by Gilberto Mora In just two years as a professional player, Gilberto Mora has become accustomed to breaking records. When he made his debut for Tijuana in 2024, he became the third-youngest player in Liga MX history, trailing only Victor Manon and Martin Galvan. At the international level, he has achieved remarkable milestones as well. When he made his senior Mexico debut in January 2025, Mora became the youngest player in the nation’s history to accomplish that feat, at just 16 years old. Javier Aguirre’s decision to include him in the squad for the 2026 World Cup has now allowed him to claim another Mexico record by surpassing Manuel ‘Chaquetas’ Rosas. In addition, Gil Mora is the youngest of the 1,248 players participating in this edition of the tournament. Mora falls short of Pele record If he scores a goal in any of Mexico’s upcoming matches, Gilberto Mora would move into second place on the list of the youngest goalscorers in FIFA World Cup history. The record, which remains untouchable, belongs to Brazil legend Pele. He led his national team to the title at Sweden 1958 and scored at the age of just 17 years and 239 days in a quarterfinal match against Wales during that tournament.
Despite having to deal with an eventual congestion in the striker position, coach Gerardo "Tata" Martino left open the possibility of Josef Martinez returning to Atlanta United. Josef Martinez was a central figure in one of the most celebrated chapters in Atlanta United‘s history, but in 2026, both the player and the club find themselves in very different circumstances. Despite an already crowded striker situation, head coach Gerardo “Tata” Martino has left the door open for a potential reunion. The reality at Atlanta United this season has been a difficult one. Currently sitting 14th in the Eastern Conference with just 11 points from 14 games, the team’s performance under Martino’s second stint in charge has been underwhelming, and significant activity in the summer transfer window is widely expected. Following Sunday’s 2-0 defeat to the Columbus Crew, Martino was asked by Bolavip about the prospect of Martinez returning to the club: “We haven’t sat down with the front office yet to know in which situation we find ourselves in. It’s a position where we already have Emmanuel Latte Lath as DP, we have other strikers in Cayman (Togashi) and Sergio Santos, and I also use Aleksei Miranchuk as striker.“ While acknowledging the depth already in place at the position, Martino stopped short of ruling out a return for the Venezuelan striker, citing both their history together and Martínez’s continued activity at the professional level. “I won’t rule it out because Josef is a natural-born goalscorer. He’s a player I know well and he’s active in an important league like the Mexican league,” Martino added. Gerardo Martino addresses possible Josef Martínez return to Atlanta United pic.twitter.com/pmCitC7iB8— Bolavip US (@bolavipus) May 25, 2026 Having departed San Jose Earthquakes on a free transfer last season, Martinez joined Club Tijuana in January, where he managed just 13 minutes across the final seven games of the Liga MX Clausura. According to The Athletic‘s Felipe Cárdenas, Martinez and Tijuana have since parted ways by mutual agreement, making him a free agent once again and a realistic option for clubs looking for proven MLS firepower, with a return to Atlanta not out of the question. Atlanta United and an underperforming attack As The Athletic recently reported, Atlanta United rank third among MLS clubs in total spending for 2026 at $27.9 million, trailing only Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami at $54.6 million and Son Heung-min’s LAFC at $32.7 million. That investment, however, has not translated into results on the pitch, particularly in the attacking third. Atlanta currently sit as the lowest-scoring team in MLS with 14 goals, tied with Sporting Kansas City. Russian midfielder Aleksei Miranchuk leads the team with five goals, while three other players are level on two apiece. Of the forwards Martino specifically mentioned, Designated Player Emmanuel Latte Lath is among those stuck on two MLS goals. Brazilian striker Sergio Santos, in three appearances, and Japanese forward Cayman Togashi, in six, have yet to score in the league, with Togashi’s only goal coming in the U.S. Open Cup. Now 33 years old, Martínez is far from the form he showed during his peak years at Atlanta United, having managed just one goal in nine appearances with Tijuana. That said, with his place in the top ten of MLS’s all-time goalscoring list and a familiar face back in the dugout, the prospect of one final chapter in Atlanta remains a genuine possibility.
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