The ultimate push in the direction of the 2026 World Cup begins with a marquee take a look at for the Mexico nationwide group, who will host star-studded Portugal on Saturday evening within the reopening of the hallowed Estadio Azteca.
Mexico is without doubt one of the few World Cup certified nations that has already performed because the calendar turned to 2026. Victories towards Panama, Bolivia and Iceland put an finish to a dreadful six-game winless run that soured the temper round El Tri within the back-half of 2025. Those victories, although, got here with and towards makeshift rosters given the matches occurred exterior of programmed FIFA worldwide home windows.
The conflict towards Portugal would be the first time Mexican gamers abroad characterize El Tri this yr. It’s an enormous conflict to measure the place Mexico stands in comparison with probably the greatest groups on this planet just a bit over 70 days earlier than its World Cup debut this summer time.
Portugal, however, resumes its World Cup preparations, inactive since topping Group F of the UEFA qualifiers final fall. The absence of talismanic captain Cristiano Ronaldo is notable, however Roberto Martínez nonetheless has loads of elite expertise at his disposal to start out the yr off proper.
It is perhaps a global pleasant, however anticipation for the match has been constructing for a while, and Mexico shall be anticipated to ship a powerful efficiency within the return to its religious house.
Mexico vs. Portugal Score Prediction
El Tri Avoids Defeat Against Mighty Portugal in Return Home
The hole in particular person high quality between each side is tough to disregard, however Mexico shall be extra-motivated to carry out with near 100,000 followers within the stands behind them. El Tri traditionally ups its degree towards superior opponents, and it’ll face a a lot stronger aspect on Saturday evening.
Mexico will play with an depth inherent to supervisor Javier Aguirre’s aspect, however the ambiance might assist El Tri attain an additional gear. Portugal’s world-class gamers have the expertise to beat that, however Martínez’s aspect shall be positioned in an extremely hostile ambiance for a “low-stakes game.”
It’s not simply one other worldwide pleasant for Mexico, and that might see Aguirre’s males finish the evening with a optimistic consequence.
- Mexico’s plain home-field benefit: At 7,350 ft above sea degree, Mexico grows stronger at altitude, particularly towards a Portugal aspect filled with gamers that play principally at or round sea degree with their golf equipment. El Tri hasn’t misplaced on the Azteca—now named Estadio Banorte—since 2013.
- Injury woes: Mexico shall be with out regulars Edson Álvarez, Gilberto Mora, Marcel Ruiz and Santiago Gimenez. As vital as these absences are, in addition they open the door for others, particularly Real Betis’ Álvaro Fidalgo, who will make his El Tri debut. Aside from Ronaldo, Portugal can also be with out Rafael Leão and the Manchester City duo of Bernardo Silva and Rúben Dias.
- Historical head-to-head file: Portugal has by no means crushed Mexico by a multiple purpose, and in the latest two conferences, the sport led to a draw after 90 minutes.
Prediction: Mexico 1–1 Portugal
Mexico Predicted Lineup
Even although Aguirre has flirted with switching to a 3-4-2-1 set-up in current matches, he’s anticipated to stay to his most popular 4-3-3 formation towards Portugal.
Mexico’s stable middle again pairing will get the nod in entrance of Raúl Rangel, who’s the favourite to start out between the posts come the World Cup after Luis Malagón’s season ending injury and regardless of the return of the legendary Guillermo Ochoa.
With so many midfield accidents, Erik Lira is predicted to interchange Álvarez because the anchor, Carlos Rodríguez will get his probability with Ruiz sidelined and Fidalgo is bound to make his highly-anticipated debut with Mora unavailable.
Mexico’s talisman Raúl Jiménez will lead the road with the in-form Roberto Alvarado to his proper. Alexis Vega returned from damage earlier within the month and will possible function on the left wing, although, the red-hot Julián Quiñones may be in rivalry to start out, albeit, away from his most popular place as a second striker.
Mexico predicted lineup vs. Portugal (4-3-3): Rangel; Sánchez, Montes, Vásquez, Gallardo; Rodríguez, Lira, Fidalgo; Alvarado, Jiménez, Vega.
Portugal Predicted Lineup
Apart from the aforementioned accidents, the midfield duo of João Neves and Pedro Gonçalves educated individually from the remainder of the group earlier than touring to Mexican soil, and Martínez might choose to maintain them out of the XI. Vitinha and the skilled Rúben Neves might begin within the midfield pivot.
With starter Diogo Costa unavailable, Rui Silva might begin towards Mexico, with Thomas Araújo partnering Gonçalo Inácio within the coronary heart of protection, and the formidable fullback duo of João Cancelo and Nuno Mendes finishing the backline.
Despite the accidents, Martínez has a wealth of attacking choices, and Bruno Fernandes might function within the No. 10 position, flanked by Pedro Neto and Francisco Conceição.
With no Ronaldo, the sport towards Mexico is the right alternative for the best goalscorer in Mexican soccer, Paulinho, to steer the road in his return to the nationwide group, aiming to sneak into the World Cup roster with a powerful efficiency towards quite a lot of acquainted faces.
Portugal predicted lineup vs. Mexico (4-2-3-1): Silva; Cancelo, Araújo, Inácio, Mendes; Neves, Vitinha; Conceição, Fernandes, Neto; Paulinho.
What Time Does Mexico vs. Portugal Kick Off?
- Location: Mexico City, Mexico
- Stadium: Estadio Banorte
- Date: Saturday, March 28
- Kick-off Time: 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT
How to Watch Mexico vs. Portugal on TV, Live Stream
Country | TV/Live Stream |
|---|---|
United States | TUDN USA, Univision, FOX Deportes, FOX One, FOX Sports App, ViX |
Mexico | Canal 5, Azteca 7, TUDN, ViX, Azteca Deportes |
