MEXICO CITY (AP) — Right wingback Richard Ledesma has switched allegiance from the United States to play for Mexico’s national soccer team.
Ledesma, 25, who was born in Phoenix to Mexican parents, represented the United States at the U-20 World Cup in Poland and played one game for the first team in a friendly against Panama on November 16, 2020.
The Mexican Football Federation announced late Tuesday. This switch is on the FIFA Association Change Platform.
Ledezma was included in Mexico’s 27-man roster called up by coach Javier Aguirre last week to play friendlies against Panama on Thursday and Bolivia on Sunday.
After six seasons with PSV Eindhoven in the Netherlands, Ledezma signed with Mexican team Chivas earlier this year and has started the first three games of the Clausura competition.
With Aguirre struggling in the right wing-back position, Ledesma has a realistic chance of being selected for Mexico’s squad for this year’s World Cup. Since taking over the team in August 2024, the manager has tried six players in the position.
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