Mexico and Portugal to Face Off for First Time Since 2017 as 2026 World Cup Looms

Mexico City—Eight years after their last meeting, Mexico and Portugal will renew acquaintances on Saturday night inside a refurbished Estadio Azteca, the symbolic curtain-raiser for El Tri’s final push toward the 2026 World Cup on home soil.

The hosts arrive buoyant, having snapped a six-match winless skid with January victories over Panama, Bolivia and Iceland. Those wins, however, came against experimental squads outside the FIFA window; the visit of Portugal marks the first 2026 cap for Mexico’s Europe-based regulars and a timely gauge of their readiness for a summer tournament that kicks off in barely ten weeks.

Portugal, inactive since topping UEFA Group F last fall, will be without iconic captain Cristiano Ronaldo, yet manager Roberto Martínez still commands a star-laden roster headlined by Bruno Fernandes, João Cancelo and Nuno Mendes. The Seleção view the Azteca showcase as an ideal springboard toward their own World Cup fine-tuning, even if the surroundings promise to be fiercely hostile for what is officially only a friendly.

Manager Javier Aguirre is expected to stick with his trusted 4-3-3 rather than experiment with the 3-4-2-1 shape he has recently tested. Raúl Rangel—now the presumptive No. 1 after Luis Malagón’s season-ending injury—should start in goal behind a back four of Jorge Sánchez, César Montes, Jesús Vásquez and Jesús Gallardo. A depleted midfield means Erik Lira will anchor, flanked by Carlos Rodríguez and debutant Fidalgo, while Raúl Jiménez leads the line between in-form wingers Roberto Alvarado and Alexis Vega. Julián Quiñones provides a potent alternative should Aguirre opt for fresh legs.

Portugal’s injury list includes midfielders João Neves and Pedro Gonçalves, who trained separately before the trip. Rui Silva is set to replace rested starter Diogo Costa in goal, with Tomás Araújo partnering Gonçalo Inácio centrally. Vitinha and Rúben Neves project as the double pivot, freeing Fernandes to orchestrate behind a fluid front three of Pedro Neto, Francisco Conceição and Paulinho—the Liga MX scoring leader eager to state his case for a World Cup spot in the country where he plies his trade.

While the talent gap between the sides is evident, Mexico’s historical knack for raising its level against marquee opposition—coupled with a near-capacity Azteca crowd—could level the scales. A win would inject genuine belief that El Tri can trouble elite nations when the global spotlight arrives this summer; for Portugal, it is an early chance to prove their depth extends well beyond their absent superstar.

Kick-off is set for Saturday night with global broadcast coverage on TUDN USA, Univision, FOX Deportes, FOX One, FOX Sports App and ViX.

Mexico predicted XI: Rangel; Sánchez, Montes, Vásquez, Gallardo; Rodríguez, Lira, Fidalgo; Alvarado, Jiménez, Vega.

Portugal predicted XI: Silva; Cancelo, Araújo, Inácio, Mendes; Neves, Vitinha; Conceição, Fernandes, Neto; Paulinho.