Field Level Media
21 Jan 2026, 11:25 GMT+10
(Photo credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images)
Brian Gutierrez and Richard Ledezma, who have both American and Mexican citizenships, have finalized their one-time switch and will compete for the Mexican national team going forward after coming up with the USMNT.
Both players were born in the U.S. but were called up to the Mexican team this month for friendlies against Panama and Bolivia.
A player with less than three senior international caps prior to the age of 21 can switch nations one time, per FIFA regulations.
The switch had to be finalized in order for either Gutierrez or Ledezma to compete for Mexico in this summer's World Cup, which is being partially hosted in Mexico.
Ledezma, 25, made just one cap with the USMNT senior team in 2020. He spent his early professional career with Dutch side PSV before a transfer to Mexican club Chivas in 2025.
Gutierrez, 22, made a pair of USMNT senior-club appearances in friendlies early last year against Venezuela and Costa Rica. He also joined Chivas in December after six seasons with the Chicago Fire.
Mexico, in Group A of the World Cup, opens the tournament June 11 vs. South Africa in Mexico City.
--Field Level Media
Get a daily dose of Johannesburg Life news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Johannesburg Life.
More InformationBARCELONA, Spain - Two trains have been derailed near Barcelona, jafter two trains collided in southern Spain, killing 42 people. ...
BRUSSELS, Belgium: European governments are weighing a sweeping trade response to pressure from Washington over Greenland, as tensions...
MADRID, Spain: Calling the allegations against him of sexual misconduct absolutely untrue, Grammy-winning singer Julio Iglesias has...
CANBERRA, ACT AUSTRALIA - Nearly 4.7 million accounts identified as belonging to children in Australia were removed by social media...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: U.S. aviation regulators have issued new safety warnings for airlines operating across parts of Latin America, cautioning...
LOS ANGELES, California: Cutting short their mission at the International Space Station, four astronauts returned safely to Earth early...
SEATTLE, Washington: As it prepares for a two-decade wind-down, the Gates Foundation is accelerating spending even as it moves to slim...
HONG KONG: China closed 2025 with its largest trade surplus on record, underscoring how exports to the rest of the world have cushioned...
ABU DHABI, 21st January, 2026 (WAM) -- As per an agreement signed with the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian...
In a world fracturing along economic faultlines, Chinese President Xi Jinping offered a clear compass. Countries cannot thrive without...
(Photo credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images) Brian Gutierrez and Richard Ledezma, who have both American and Mexican citizenships,...
Vadodara (Gujarat) [India], January 21 (ANI): Following her side's win over Mumbai Indians (MI), Delhi Capitals (DC) skipper Jemimah...
