Javier “Chicharito” Hernández Left Off Guadalajara’s Ambassador List for the 2026 World Cup

Guadalajara officially unveiled its group of ambassadors ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but one notable absence immediately sparked widespread debate: Javier “Chicharito” Hernández was not included among the 26 representatives selected to promote the host city.

The omission was striking, considering Hernández is the all-time leading scorer for the Mexican national team and one of the most internationally recognized footballers ever born in Guadalajara. With the city preparing to host four group-stage matches at Estadio Akron, local authorities are eager to project a strong and unified image on the road to 2026 — yet Chicharito’s exclusion quickly overshadowed the announcement.

The timing of the decision also reflects Hernández’s current situation. After returning to Mexican football amid high expectations, the veteran striker struggled to find consistency and failed to produce sustained results over the past year. That context has fueled public discussion about his role as a symbolic figure for Guadalajara during the World Cup.

The ambassador list includes former legends from Chivas and Atlas, along with Olympic athletes and representatives from other sports, aiming to showcase the city’s diverse sporting culture. Still, it was the missing name that dominated the headlines and raised questions about the criteria used in the selection process.

During the official presentation, the mayor of Zapopan emphasized that the chosen ambassadors stand out for their discipline, professionalism and commitment — comments that indirectly explained why Hernández was left out without mentioning him directly. Recent controversies off the field and his drop in form were reportedly factors that weighed against his inclusion.

Chicharito’s absence also comes alongside other high-profile omissions from Guadalajara’s sports history, such as Lorena Ochoa, Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez and Sergio “Checo” Pérez, reinforcing the idea that popularity and legacy alone were not enough to secure a spot.

With Guadalajara moving forward in its World Cup preparations, Javier Hernández once again finds himself at the center of attention — not for a historic goal, but for being left off a symbolic list on the road to 2026.