Mexico vs Portugal: Projected lineups for 2026 international friendly at Estadio Azteca

Mexico City—Estadio Azteca will stage the opening chapter of Portugal’s North American tour on Saturday night, when a star-studded—but Cristiano Ronaldo-less—Selecção das Quinas meet a re-tooling Mexico side eager to sharpen its identity 90 days into Javier Aguirre’s second tenure.

Ronaldo, recovering from a month-long hamstring issue, was not summoned by coach Roberto Martínez, who must also do without Bernardo Silva and Rúben Dias for this camp. Even so, Portugal’s XI remains flush with headline talent: Bruno Fernandes will wear the armband and pull the strings from midfield alongside Ruben Neves, while João Felix, Francisco Conceicao and Gonçalo Ramos are entrusted with breaking the deadlock Mexico’s defense hopes to avoid.

Martínez’s confirmed lineup reads: Rui Silva; Matheus Nunes, Renato Veiga, Antonio Silva, Nuno Mendes; Samu Costa, Ruben Neves, Bruno Fernandes; Joao Felix, Francisco Conceicao, Gonzalo Ramos.

Mexico, meanwhile, enter the friendly in experimental mode. Aguirre has pledged not to park the bus against elite opposition, and his attack-minded XI reflects that promise. Raul Jimenez anchors the front line, flanked by Roberto Alvarado and Chicago Fire playmaker Brian Gutierrez. A four-man back line of Johan Vasquez, Cesar Montes, Jesus Gallardo and Israel Reyes will shield Pumas goalkeeper Raul Rangel, while the midfield trio of Erick Lira, Obed Vargas and Alvaro Fidalgo has been tasked with bridging defense and attack.

Kickoff is set for Saturday night, the first of two March friendlies for Portugal; they travel to Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Tuesday to meet the United States. Mexico will use the contest as a measuring stick ahead of 2026, when they co-host the World Cup and hope to transform home advantage into a genuine podium push.