Preview: Mexico vs Portugal – prediction, team news, lineups

A Cristiano Ronaldo-less Portugal will check their mettle towards 2026 World Cup co-hosts Mexico in a pleasant fixture on Sunday.

This contest marks the official re-opening of the long-lasting Estadio Banorte, previously generally known as Estadio Azteca, in Mexico City after virtually two years of in depth, lengthy-time period renovations in preparation for the World Cup.

Match preview

There is at all times hype round Portugal fixtures when 5-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo – additionally the all-time males’s worldwide goalscorer (143) – is strutting his stuff on the worldwide stage, however the legendary striker will play no half in Sunday’s match attributable to a hamstring damage sustained with Al-Nassr.

The 41-12 months-previous is “getting better every day” as he undergoes personal rehabilitation, however his absence has sparked ticketing chaos forward of Portugal’s journey to Mexico, with organisers believed to be struggling to promote seats for round $100 after tickets have been beforehand snapped up for $500+ when the primary attraction Ronaldo was match and anticipated to be concerned.

Ronaldo scored 5 objectives in as many video games to assist Portugal safe automated qualification for this summer season’s World Cup, with Roberto Martinez’s aspect ending prime of Group F with 13 factors (W4 D1 L1) forward of Republic of Ireland, Hungary and Armenia.

Ranked sixth on this planet by FIFA and regarded by many as a robust contender to grow to be world champions this summer season, Portugal coped nicely with out the suspended Ronaldo of their remaining qualification match, as they thrashed Armenia 9-1 in Porto in mid-November, with Bruno Fernandes and Joao Neves netting hat-tips.

Selecao das Quinas have misplaced simply two of their final 16 worldwide matches in all competitions throughout the final 20 months – throughout which they have been topped UEFA Nations League champions for a second time in June 2025 – whereas they’ve by no means been overwhelmed in 5 earlier conferences with this weekend’s opponents Mexico.

© Imago

Mexico may have the honour of kicking off the 2026 World Cup of their capital metropolis on June 11, with the historic Estadio Banorte – formally generally known as Mexico City Stadium for the match – to grow to be the primary venue to host three World Cup opening matches after 1970 and 1986.

As co-hosts of this summer season’s massive occasion with the United States and Canada, Mexico have averted the rigours of qualification and have subsequently not performed competitively since beating USA to raise the CONCACAF Gold Cup in July 2025.

Since successful that remaining 2-1, Mexico have performed 9 friendlies towards international locations from 4 totally different continents. Javier Aguirre’s aspect didn’t win any of the primary six video games (D4 L2), most notably dropping 4-0 to Colombia, however they’ve gained every of their final three fixtures towards Panama, Bolivia and Iceland performed earlier this 12 months.

Back-to-again 1-0 successes over Panama and Bolivia in January have been adopted by a 4-0 victory towards Iceland on the finish of February – El Tri have misplaced simply one in every of their final 5 encounters with European nations for the reason that begin of the 2022 World Cup (W2 D2).

However, the sixteenth highest-ranked nation by FIFA have struggled in earlier conferences with Portugal. They have misplaced three of their final 4 (D1), most not too long ago taking place 2-1 after additional time on the FIFA Confederations Cup in July 2017.

Mexico kind (all competitions):

Portugal kind (all competitions):

Team News

© Iconsport / SUSA

Mexico’s squad doesn’t embody Edson Alvarez, Marcel Ruiz and 17-12 months-previous Gilberto Mora, who all began in midfield in final 12 months’s Gold Cup remaining. Hirving Lozano and Julian Araujo are two extra notable absentees.

However, lengthy-serving Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa, 40, has returned to the squad for the primary time since May 2025 and the 151-cap veteran will hope to make a notable impression as he bid to characteristic at a sixth consecutive World Cup match this summer season.

Spanish-born midfielder Alvaro Fidalgo, who swapped Club America for Real Betis in February, is able to make his debut at 28 years of age after receiving his first senior name-up, whereas the likes of Raul Jimenez, Jesus Gallardo and Orbelin Pineda can even be pushing to start out.

As for Portugal, Ronaldo is joined on the sidelines by first-selection goalkeeper Diogo Costa, AC Milan ahead Rafael Leao and teenage expertise Rodrigo Mora, whereas Bernardo Silva, Ruben Dias and Joao Palhinha have been omitted attributable to health points.

Five years after incomes his first three caps for Portugal, 33-12 months-previous striker Paulinho – who performs for Mexican outfit Toluca – is again within the senior squad and is more likely to battle with Goncalo Ramos and Goncalo Guedes for the centre-ahead spot. Pedro Neto and Joao Felix, in the meantime, might present assist in assault from out broad.

West Ham’s Mateus Fernandes is in rivalry to make his senior worldwide debut after incomes his first name-up, however Bruno Fernandes, Vitinha, Joao Neves and Ruben Neves are all sturdy contenders to start in midfield.

Mexico potential beginning lineup:

Rangel; Ledezma, Montes, Vasquez, Gallardo; Gutierrez, Fidalgo, Pineda; Alvarado, Jimenez, Vega

Portugal potential beginning lineup:

Sa; Cancelo, A. Silva, Inacio, Mendes; J. Neves, R. Neves, B. Fernandes; Neto, Ramos, Felix

We say: Mexico 1-2 Portugal

It stays to be seen precisely how sturdy each groups will line up, however Portugal do boast the superior squad on paper. Even with out the presence of Ronaldo, Martinez’s aspect shall be considered favourites.

Mexico shouldn’t be discounted on residence soil at their iconic stadium, however we’re backing the guests to come back away with a slender victory.

For knowledge evaluation of the almost definitely outcomes, scorelines and extra for this match please click here.