Mexico vs Portugal Preview - 2026 World Cup preparations begin at Estadio Azteca | OneFootball

Portugal are back in action as they take on Mexico at Estadio Azteca, the first of four friendlies to warm up for the 2026 World Cup.

Roberto Martínez is missing some key players with Diogo Costa, Rúben Dias, Bernardo Silva and Cristiano Ronaldo all unavailable. Mateus Fernandes has been called up for the first time.

Tomás Araújo, Gonçalo Guedes and Paulinho will be eager to impress the manager with a spot in the Seleção squad up for grabs.

Portugal squad

Rodrigo Mora and Rafael Leão were released which saw 33-year-old Paulinho called up. The in-form Toluca striker has earned three caps, the last coming in November 2020.

Diogo Costa failed a medical with Ricardo Velho joining the squad in Cancún. Notable absentees include Rúben Dias, Nélson Semedo, Bernardo Silva and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Pedro Gonçalves and João Neves have been doing specific rehabilitation work to get up to full fitness.

Goalkeepers: José Sá, Rui Silva, Ricardo Velho

Defenders: João Cancelo, Matheus Nunes, Nuno Mendes, Diogo Dalot, Gonçalo Inácio, António Silva, Renato Veiga, Tomás Araújo

Midfielders: Bruno Fernandes, Rúben Neves, Vitinha, João Neves, Samú Costa, Mateus Fernandes

Forwards: João Félix, Gonçalo Guedes, Gonçalo Ramos, Pedro Neto, Francisco Trincão, Francisco Conceição, Ricardo Horta, Pedro Gonçalves, Paulinho

Predicted lineup

Gonçalo Inácio and Renato Veiga are both left-footed and Roberto Martínez doesn’t appear to have much faith in António Silva, opening the door for Tomás Araújo to start in central defence.

It wouldn’t be a surprise to see Veiga and Rúben Neves in the starting side. Neves has started in six of Portugal’s previous eight games.

Portugal (4-2-3-1) José Sá; João Cancelo, Tomás Araújo, Gonçalo Inácio, Nuno Mendes; Vitinha, Rúben Neves; Pedro Neto, Bruno Fernandes, João Félix; Gonçalo Ramos

Portugal form

Portugal won their opening three World Cup qualifiers before conceding late in a 2-2 draw against Hungary. A 2-0 loss in the Republic of Ireland meant they needed a positive result against Armenie.

The Seleção produced an attacking masterclass as they crushed Armenia 9-1 at Estádio do Dragão. João Neves and Bruno Fernandes hit hat-tricks in a game where Cristiano Ronaldo was suspended.

Mexico form

Mexico won the Gold Cup in July, beating United States 2-1 in the final. They conceded three goals in six matches, Raúl Jiménez and César Montes both netting three goals.

El Tri ended 2025 with six friendlies, registering four draws alongside defeats to Colombia and Paraguay. Javier Aguirre’s side have won all three friendlies this year, beginning with 1-0 victories in Panama and Bolivia.

Mexico’s previous encounter ended in a convincing 4-0 win against Iceland. They registered 4.67-0.80 xG in Querétaro where Brian Gutiérrez netted his first international goal.

Mexican players to watch

Johan Vásquez is the leader in central defence and left-back Jesús Gallardo has 117 caps to his name.

Armando González has scored 22 goals in 30 appearances for Chivas and netted his first international goal against Iceland.

Julián Quiñones has two goals in 18 matches for Mexico but has 28 goals in 27 games for Al-Qadsiah.

Raúl Jiménez has scored 44 international goals, the third most in Mexican history. The 34-year-old is likely to be an option off the bench.

Head-to-head record

Portugal have met Mexico on five occasions and never lost. The first competitive clash came in the 2006 World Cup group stage.

Maniche and Simão scored early in Gelsenkirchen but Francisco Fonseca got a goal back before the break. Omar Bravo failed to equalise from the penalty spot, Mexico’s chances dealt a blow when Luis Pérez was sent off in the 58th minute.

Luiz Felipe Scolari’s who would go on to beat the Netherlands and England before a 1-0 semi-final defeat to France.

Portugal and Mexico last squared off at the 2017 Confederations Cup in Russia. Héctor Moreno equalised in added time as both teams got their campaigns underway with a 2-2 draw.

They met again in the third place play-off, Fernando Santos’ side trailing 1-0 before Pepe’s 91st minute equaliser kept them alive. Adrien Silva has seen an early penalty saved by Guillermo Ochoa, but he converted from the spot in extra time to secure a 2-1 victory.

Quotes

Roberto Martínez

“This training camp is for physical management and opportunity. We have new players who can bring something different, and now we have an opportunity to create the best team for the World Cup.”

"It's a good opportunity to face teams that have a lot of personality, that like one-on-one situations all over the field. We can experiment a lot with our build-up play. Mexico and the United States press man-to-man, with a lot of intensity. These are aspects we can test well.

Ricardo Horta

"I'm going to do everything I can to go to the World Cup. After not being called up, I continued to work and tried to keep doing my best. Now I say the same. Of course, participating in a World Cup is an ambition, it's a personal goal. That's what I'm going to work for, to be in the final squad."

"We have a team full of quality. I think we are one of the best teams in the world. We have great individual players. I know there is a lot of quality and that the coach must have many headaches. I feel I have to do my job.

"I can add what I've been doing. I contribute with goals and assists. I think more about the collective than the individual; I'm competitive and like to help the team. You already know me here and you know what to expect."

Mateus Fernandes

"I'm very happy to be here, it was a goal I set for myself this season to try and achieve. I know the quality is very high, perhaps the best national team at the moment. It was a pleasant surprise. I'm very happy to be here."

"The World Cup? I try to focus on what I can control. Last season was a bit atypical, with many defeats. A year of great learning. I ended the season with a defeat in the under-21s, which was costly. I'm a more mature player now, and that's why I set myself that goal, to try to go to the World Cup. I know I have to be consistent and focus on my day-to-day work."

"Last year was about finding positive things, not only in the results, but also in the daily work, switching off when you lose so you don't have a negative 'vibe'. It was very important for me to consolidate myself at West Ham this year.

“The arrival of coach Nuno also brought me a lot of stability; he's a coach who trusts me a lot. When you feel the coach's confidence, things happen naturally. I know the size of the club, it fights for the top spots, we're not happy with the situation, but we're going to turn it around."

"I think the pressure is daily, both here and outside of here. I come wanting to contribute, to be one more person to help. I want to learn from them and be at their level to help the National Team."

"There's a lot of quality, it's something I don't control. I try to learn from the midfielders here. I try to get the best out of each one to leave here a better player and person."

Gonçalo Guedes

"I'm very proud, after some time. It's a sign that I'm doing a good job again. I'm in a good phase of the season and I want to take advantage of that to be among the selected players, although I know it won't be easy. But that's up to the coach."

"In these four years, I haven't had easy situations. I couldn't adapt in England, I had two injuries at Benfica. This year was a very good change. I got playing time, I'm loved by the fans, and my teammates welcomed me well. I'm happy, and that shows on the field."

Francisco Conceição

"Undoubtedly, with the passage of time and the experience we've gained in the National Team, we've matured. But I'm still that irreverent player who creates imbalances. I have more experience in the National Team, but the objective is always the same."

"A good player is good both as a substitute and as a starter; there are no good substitutes and good starters. A good player performs well in both roles. I want to be a starter, give my best, help my teammates, and then it's up to the manager to make the decision."