Mexico vs South Korea Team News and Predicted Starting Lineups

Mexico Football continues its preparations for the 2026 World Cup with a friendly against Korea Republic Football in Nashville on Tuesday night.

Mexico settled for a 0-0 draw with Japan in Oakland on Saturday night, going down to 10 men after Cesar Montes was shown a red card in stoppage time.

Despite the draw, El Tri extended their unbeaten run to eight games, with their last loss coming to Switzerland in a June friendly.

The Mexicans are fresh off a Concacaf Gold Cup conquest, winning all but one of their six fixtures in the tournament — 0-0 draw against Costa Rica — to sweep through the tournament and lift the Gold Cup for a record 10th time, defeating the United States 2-1 in the final at NRG Stadium in Houston.

South Korea, meanwhile, defeated United States Soccer 2-0 in New Jersey on Saturday, in front of a heavily pro-Korea crowd. Los Angeles FC superstar Son Heung-min opened the scoring in the 18th minute, with Lee Dong-gyeong doubling the visitors’ lead just before halftime.

South Korea have already booked their spot in next summer’s World Cup, having topped Group B of the Asian qualifiers.

Mexico and South Korea have faced each other on four other occasions, with Mexico winning three and losing once. They last faced off in a friendly in November 2020, which El Tri won 3-2.

Where to Watch Mexico vs South Korea

REUTERS/Fernando Carranza

Mexico and South Korea will go head-to-head at GEODIS Park in Nashville, Tennessee at 8PM CT / 9PM ET on Tuesday, September 9. GEODIS Park is the home of MLS club Nashville SC, and holds just over 30,000 spectators.

Fans tuning in from the United States can watch the game on TUDN and Univision.

• When: Tuesday, September 9 – 8PM CT / 9PM ET
• Where: GEODIS Park, Nashville
• Where to watch in the United States: TUDN, Univision

Mexico vs South Korea Betting Odds

Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

• Mexico to win: +145
• Draw: +230
• South Korea to win: +185
• Both teams to score (Yes/No): -128 / +100
• Over/Under 3.5 goals: +265 / -380
• Raul Jimenez first goalscorer: +470
• Son Heung-min anytime goalscorer: +240
• Hirving Lozano anytime goalscorer: +240

Odds courtesy of FanDuel.

South Korea Team News and Predicted Lineup

Tuesday’s game will carry extra significance for South Korean captain Son Heung-min, who would equal the record for most caps for the national team (136) with an appearance against Mexico.

He is expected to start once again, and is hoping to close in on his country’s goal record — his 52 tallies for South Korea are seven shy of passing Cha Bum-kun for first all-time.

The Koreans’ lineup should look unchanged from the one that prevailed over the USA on Saturday.

South Korea predicted lineup (5-4-1): Jo Hyeonwoo (GK) – Seol Young-woo, Han-Beom Lee, Kim Min-jae, Kim Ju-sung, Tae-Seok Lee – Lee Dong-gyeong, Jin-Gyu Kim, Seung Ho Paik, Lee Jae-sung – Son Heung-min.

Mexico Team News and Predicted Lineup

Despite being blanked last time out by Japan, Javier Aguirre should field a similar lineup on Tuesday night in Nashville.

With Montes serving a suspension for a red card, expect Juan José Purata to make his senior national team debut at center-back.

Edson Alvarez was forced off in the first half of the draw against Japan with a hamstring injury, and is a doubt to play against South Korea. Erik Lira could be the player tabbed to take his spot in the starting 11.

Hirving Lozano made his return to El Tri with a 30-minute cameo on Saturday, and is expected to be a substitute once again on Tuesday.

Mexico predicted lineup (4-3-3): Luis Malagon (GK) – Jorge Sanchez, Juan José Purata, Johan Vasquez, Jesus Gallardo – Marcel Ruiz, Erik Lira, Oberlin Pineda – Alexis Vega, Raul Jimenez, Roberto Alvarado.