MEXICO CITY — Mexico’s World Cup roster could owe more than a little bit to its northern neighbor. The country has already had Mexican-American players on previous World Cup squads, but as many as four who were born and developed in the United States could be suiting up for El Tri in 2026.“It would be a tremendous impact for the Mexican Americans for me to play in the World Cup,” said midfielder Brian Gutiérrez, who was born in Berwyn, Illinois, and was selected for the World Cup roster Tuesday. “It would be really exciting.”Gutierrez could be joined on the Mexican squad by Chivas teammate Richy Ledezma, a midfielder and right back born in Phoenix, as well as Obed Vargas, a midfielder from Anchorage, Alaska, and right back Julián Araujo, a native of Lompoc, California.Coach Javier Aguirre released a partial World Cup roster this week composed exclusively of players from Liga MX. Although Ledezma wasn’t included, that doesn’t mean he couldn’t be on the 26-man roster Aguirre announces on June 1, 11 days before the tournament opener against South Africa. Vargas, who plays for Atlético Madrid, and Araujo, who plays for Glasgow Celtic, will have to wait alongside Ledezma. Araujo has been training in Mexico’s facility alone this week even though his place is not assured. “I am Mexican, I feel the flag, the country and coming to Guadalajara was amazing,” Ledezma said. ”It is an honor, a dream of mine to play in the World Cup in the country where my parents were born.”Gutiérrez played two games for the U.S. national team and Ledezma and Araujo one each before switching affiliation, and all four appeared for the American Under-23 and Under-20 teams. The quartet all four found themselves far back on the American depth chart.Arajua made his Mexico debut in 2021, becoming the third player to appear for the U.S. and Mexican senior teams after Martín Vásquez and Edgar Castillo. Vargas debuted in 2024, and Ledezma and Gutiérrez this past January.Mexico has never had more than two Mexican-Americans suit up for a World Cup. Two California natives, Isaac “Conejito” Brizuela and Migue …
