Preparation for Copa Oro Includes Matches Against Top 15 UEFA Teams
During this summer’s FIFA break, Mexico’s national team will switch gears to friendly matches against European opponents—Suiza and Turquía—in preparation for the upcoming Gold Cup. Both teams are currently ranked within the top 15 of UEFA and the top 30 globally (FIFA), boasting players from prestigious clubs like Real Madrid, Manchester City, and Juventus.
Suiza: Talented but Struggling in International Competitions
Despite having talented players such as Granit Xhaka and Manuel Akanji, Suiza has struggled to translate individual talent into team success in international tournaments. They’ve faced defensive issues at crucial moments and lack depth in attack, according to Olivier Jarosz, a sports analyst from LTT Sports in Ginebra.
- Suiza has consistently qualified for the World Cup for five consecutive years but hasn’t advanced past the round of 16 since Germany 2006, except for Italy 1934 and France 1938.
- In the Eurocopa, they’ve attended the last three editions but haven’t managed to reach the semi-finals, advancing only as far as quarter-finals against France (2020) and Italy (2024).
- Their only recent success in a major tournament was reaching the quarter-finals of the UEFA Nations League in 2019, though they finished fourth after losses to Portugal and England.
Jarosz notes that while Suiza has solid defenders like Xhaka and Akanji, they often fail to capitalize on opportunities. Breel Embolo cannot shoulder the offensive burden alone, and younger players like Zeki Amdouni need to step up. Mental strength is also crucial for success in decisive moments.
Turquía: Inconsistency and Mundial Absence
Mexico’s second European opponent, Turquía, has never faced the national team in a senior international match. With 29 players called up, only 12 are based outside Turkey.
- Turquía reached its highest world ranking of fifth in 2004 after winning the third place at the 2002 World Cup in South Korea and Japan, as well as bronze at the 2008 Eurocopa.
- However, Turquía has been inconsistent and hasn’t qualified for the World Cup for nearly 24 years.
The upcoming friendly matches against Mexico and the United States will allow Turkish coach Vincenzo Montella to fine-tune his team’s strategy before focusing on qualifying for the 2026 World Cup. Their group (E) includes Spain, Georgia, and Bulgaria, with Georgia possessing skilled players like Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who recently won the Champions League with PSG.
Mexico’s Upcoming Friendlies
Saturday, June 7: Mexico vs. Suiza at Rice-Eccles Stadium, Salt Lake City, US – Transmitted on TUDN and TV Azteca.
Tuesday, June 10: Mexico vs. Turquía at Kenan Memorial Stadium, Chapel Hill, US – Transmitted on TUDN and TV Azteca.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who are Mexico’s European opponents? Suiza and Turquía.
- Why are these matches important for Mexico? These friendlies serve as preparation for the upcoming Gold Cup and offer Mexico the chance to face top-ranked UEFA teams.
- What are the recent achievements and challenges of Suiza? Suiza has consistently qualified for the World Cup but struggles to advance past the round of 16. They’ve had mixed results in the Eurocopa, never reaching the semi-finals.
- What is Turquía’s recent history in international competitions? Turquía has not qualified for the World Cup since 2002 and faces challenges in their qualifying group for the 2026 tournament.
