7M - International Friendly Preview: Mexico vs Portugal prediction, team news, lineups

Portugal will travel to Mexico City for an international friendly on Sunday, as the reopening of Estadio Banorte formerly known as Estadio Azteca takes centre stage. The match is set to kick off on Mar 29, 2026 at 3.00am local time at Estadio Banorte.

Recent form and momentum

Portugal enter the friendly after securing World Cup qualification at the top of Group F with 13 points from W4 D1 L1, finishing ahead of Republic of Ireland, Hungary and Armenia. Their overall consistency is highlighted by the fact that they have lost only two of their last 16 international matches across the past 20 months, and they were crowned UEFA Nations League champions for a second time in June 2025. Portugal have also gone unbeaten in their five previous meetings with Mexico.

Mexico, meanwhile, have played friendlies only since their CONCACAF Gold Cup success in July 2025, where they beat USA 2-1 to win the trophy. In the subsequent run, El Tri failed to win any of their first six games, recording D4 L2, but they have turned things around with wins in their last three outings against Panama, Bolivia and Iceland. Their run includes back to back 1-0 wins over Panama and Bolivia in January, followed by a 4-0 victory over Iceland at the end of February. Mexico have also lost just one of their last five encounters against European opponents since the start of the 2022 World Cup.

Attack and defensive themes

Portugal's attack has proven sharp even in high pressure qualifiers, with players such as Bruno Fernandes and Joao Neves delivering hat tricks in a dominant 9-1 win over Armenia in Porto in mid November. Mexico's recent results suggest they can control games better at home than earlier in the year, but they have also struggled against Portugal historically, losing three of their last four meetings, including a 2-1 extra time defeat at the FIFA Confederations Cup in July 2017.

Team news and key absences

Portugal will be without Cristiano Ronaldo, who is sidelined with a hamstring injury sustained with Al Nassar. He will not play on Sunday, though he is reported to be getting better and undergoing private rehabilitation.

Mexico's squad misses Edson Alvarez, Marcel Ruiz, and 17-year-old Gilberto Mora, all of whom started in the midfield in last years Gold Cup final. Hirving Lozano and Julian Araujo are also unavailable.

Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa, 40, returns to the squad for the first time since May 2025, giving Mexico a senior boost as they look to make a strong impression ahead of the summer.

For Portugal, fitness issues have also led to omissions of Bernardo Silva, Ruben Dias and Joao Palhinha. Paulinho, 33 is back in the senior squad and will compete with Goncalo Ramos and Goncalo Guedes for the central striker role, with Pedro Neto and Joao Felix options from wide positions.

Likely lineups

Mexico: Rangel; Ledezma, Montes, Vasquez, Gallardo; Gutierrez, Fidalgo, Pineda; Alvarado, Jimenez, Vega
Portugal: Sa; Cancelo, A. Silva, Inacio, Mendes; J. Neves, R. Neves, B. Fernandes; Neto, Ramos, Felix

Schedule pressure and motivation

Although this is an international friendly, Portugal carry the confidence of topping their qualifying group and their recent dominance on results, while Mexico have the added expectation of playing the first match at the redeveloped Estadio Banorte reopening. With the summer World Cup drawing near, both sides will be judged on how quickly they can turn preparation into clean execution, despite the absence of key names.

Prediction: Mexico 1-2 Portugal