Draw Against Japan in Oakland
On September 6, Mexico played to a 0-0 tie with Japan at the Coliseum del Condado Oakland-Alameda in California, marking the start of their FIFA date with two consecutive draws.
The match was challenging for Mexico from the beginning, with Takefusa Kubo testing Ángel Malagón at the 11th minute, and Japan’s speed creating constant danger in the first half.
In the second half, Javier Aguirre’s team pushed forward with a more aggressive offensive approach, with shots from Érik Lira and Germán Berterame forcing Japan’s goalkeeper, Zion Suzuki, to make crucial saves. However, César Montes’ red card in stoppage time compelled Mexico to play with ten men.
“I believe the result was fair; it was a very evenly matched game,” summarized Aguirre. “The first half belonged to them, and we were slightly better in the second.” He also praised Japan’s intensity: “Their speed surprised us, and their intensity was remarkable… 90% of their players play in Europe; they have a distinct training level.”
Japan’s coach, Hajime Moriyasu, commended Mexico’s discipline: “Mexico was very disciplined and difficult to break down. I wasn’t surprised by how Javier Aguirre set up the match.”
Late Goal Secures Draw Against South Korea
Three days later, in Nashville’s Geodis Park, Mexico salvaged a 2-2 draw against South Korea with Santiago Giménez’s goal in the 90+4th minute.
Raúl Jiménez opened the scoring for Mexico at the 22nd minute, but Heung-min Son and Hyeon-gyu Oh turned the game around for South Korea in the second half.
South Korea’s goalkeeper, Seung-gyu Kim, was instrumental in thwarting numerous dangerous opportunities until Giménez sealed the draw with a shot from outside the area.
“Japan and South Korea were two tough opponents, and I still want that challenge,” Aguirre said after the match. “We had good possession, created goal-scoring chances… The players are following instructions, and I’m pleased with the balanced approach we’re trying to establish: an unpredictable, cohesive team.”
With these two draws, Mexico concluded their Asian tour with positive results in terms of performance, even without victories.
Confirmed Friendly Matches Ahead of the 2026 World Cup
The Mexican Football Federation has scheduled three more preparation matches leading up to the 2026 World Cup:
- Mexico vs. Colombia on October 11, AT&T Stadium, Dallas, USA.
- Mexico vs. Ecuador on October 14, Estadio Akron, Guadalajara, Mexico.
- Mexico vs. Uruguay on November 15, Territorio Santos Modelo, Torreón, Mexico.
These upcoming encounters will serve as crucial tests to gauge progress and fine-tune details before entering the final stages of preparation for the World Cup that Mexico, along with the USA and Canada, will co-host.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who are Mexico’s upcoming opponents? Mexico will face Colombia, Ecuador, and Uruguay in preparation for the 2026 World Cup.
- When and where will these matches take place? The matches are scheduled for October 11 (Mexico vs. Colombia in Dallas), October 14 (Mexico vs. Ecuador in Guadalajara), and November 15 (Mexico vs. Uruguay in Torreón).
- Why are these matches important for Mexico? These friendlies will help the team measure their progress and make necessary adjustments before intensifying their World Cup preparation.
