Javier Aguirre’s Tenure and Mexico’s Recent Matches
Under Javier Aguirre’s leadership for ten months, Mexico has played only four official matches in the Concacaf Nations League and five friendly games. With the Gold Cup approaching and the 2026 World Cup on the horizon, Mexico will face Switzerland in a preparation match, their first European opponent in the third phase of Aguirre’s tenure.
Mexico’s Preparation Matches
- Against Canada and the United States, teams from their region
- Against New Zealand
- Two matches with an alternative eleven of young Mexican players against South American clubs International de Porto Alegre and River Plate
Aguirre had expressed his desire for Asian, South American, and African opponents but acknowledged the difficulty due to FIFA dates. Nevertheless, Mexico has secured two challenging friendly matches against Switzerland (Saturday) and Turkey (Tuesday), providing valuable preparation for defending the Gold Cup title.
Switzerland’s Versatility and Recent Performance
Mexico ranks 17th, while Switzerland is 20th in the FIFA women’s rankings. Under coach Murat Yakin for three years and ten months, Switzerland reached the Round of 16 in the 2022 World Cup and the quarterfinals of Euro 2024. Yakin emphasizes their versatility, adapting to various formations during matches.
Following Xherdan Shaqiri’s retirement, Yakin manages a generational transition. Although he couldn’t convince Shaqiri to return, Switzerland still boasts Granit Xhaka from Bayer Leverkusen. The Swiss squad includes 19-year-old midfielder Johan Manzambi from German club Friburgo, who rapidly ascended through the youth national teams to the senior level.
Match Details and Probable Lineups
Mexico vs. Switzerland will take place in Salt Lake City, Utah, at 14:00 local time in the Rice-Eccles Stadium, with a capacity of 51,444 spectators. The match will be broadcast on Canal 7, Azteca 7, and TUDN.
- Mexico: Ángel Malagón – Israel Reyes, César Montes, Johan Vásquez, Jesús Gallardo – Edson Álvarez, Luis Romo, Roberto Alvarado, César Huerta – Raúl Jiménez, Santiago Giménez. Coach: Javier Aguirre.
- Switzerland: Gregor Kobel – Miro Muheim, Nico Elvedi, Manuel Akanji, Ricardo Rodríguez – Granit Xhaka, Denis Zakaria – Remo Freuler, Michel Aebischer, Fabian Rieder – Breel Embolo. Coach: Murat Yakin.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who is Javier Aguirre? Javier Aguirre, also known as “El Vasco,” is the current coach of the Mexican national football team.
- Why are these friendlies important? These matches provide valuable preparation for the upcoming Gold Cup and 2026 World Cup, allowing Aguirre to test his squad against strong European opponents.
- Who are some notable players in the Swiss squad? Granit Xhaka and Breel Embolo are key players in the Swiss team. Young midfielder Johan Manzambi has also been called up to the senior squad.
