Where to Watch, Predicted Starting Lineups for International Friendly

The first international window of the 2025-26 football season is here, and with it comes the opportunity for the top nations to get a good look at their squads just months away from the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

One of the hosts of the upcoming tournament, Mexico Football, has a couple of tricky fixtures against Asian opponents in Japan and South Korea.

El Tri will first take on Japan at Oakland Coliseum in California on Saturday night, hoping to continue their strong run of form that saw them capture the Concacaf Gold Cup in July.

The Mexicans won 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.

Japan, meanwhile, are looking for their first win over Mexico since 1997. The Samurai Blue come into the meeting in good form, having won five of their last seven games, scoring 17 goals and allowing just two.

They’re fresh off an EAFF E-1 Championship in July, having beaten South Korean 1-0 in the final. The 17th ranked Japanese have already booked their spot for the 2026 World Cup, having topped Group C of the Asian World Cup qualifiers.

In six meetings between the two nations, Mexico has won five and lost just once. They last faced off in a friendly in November 2020, which Mexico won 2-0.

Where to Watch Mexico vs Japan

Mexico and Japan will take the pitch at the Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, California at 7PM PT / 10PM ET on Saturday, September 6. Fans tuning in from the United States can watch the game on TUDN and Univision.

• When: Saturday, September 6 – 7PM PT / 10PM ET
• Where: Oakland Coliseum, Oakland
• Where to watch in the United States: TUDN, Univision

Mexico vs Japan Betting Odds

• Mexico to win: +145
• Draw: +240
• Japan to win: +180
• Both teams to score (Yes/No): -130 / +104
• Over/Under 3.5 goals: +260 / -370
• Raul Jimenez first goalscorer: +480
• Daizen Maeda anytime goalscorer: +220
• Hirving Lozano anytime goalscorer: +240

Odds courtesy of FanDuel.

Japan Team News and Predicted Lineup

Japan have proven to be a deadly attacking outfit, boasting outstanding quality and depth on offense.

Hajime Moriyasu’s squad is led by captain and Liverpool midfielder Wataru Endo, and includes fellow Premier League standouts Daichi Kamada and Kaoru Mitoma.

The country’s current leading scorer is AS Monaco midfielder Takumi Minamino, who has 24 goals in 67 caps. The attack runs through Real Sociedad winger Takefusa Kubo, who already has 44 appearances for Japan at just 24 years old.

The current squad includes four players with 10 or more goals for the national team.

Japan predicted lineup (3-4-2-1): Zion Suzuki (GK) – Ayumu Seko, Kō Itakura, Tsuyoshi Watanabe – Kaoru Mitoma, Kaishu Sano, Wataru Endo, Henry Heroki Mochizuki – Yuito Suzuki, Takefusa Kubo – Shūto Machino.

Mexico Team News and Predicted Lineup

Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

The most notable change to Mexico’s squad for the September international window is the inclusion of Hirving Lozano, who last appeared for El Tri in March 2024. The San Diego FC star has 18 goals in 70 career appearances for his country, but was forced to miss the summer’s Gold Cup due to injury.

Mexico regulars Julian Quinones, Julian Araujo and Angel Sepulveda were unavailable for selection, making way for some new faces around the camp. On defense, 21-year-old Rodrigo Huertas was selected after an impressive campaign with FC Copenhagen, while UANL center-back Juanjo Purata could earn his first cap against Japan.

The attacking unit boasts quality and experience, led by veterans Lozano, Raul Jimenez and Alexis Vega. Monterrey forward German Bertarame, who has only one cap for the national team, will surely look to make an impression on head coach Javier Aguirre if given minutes.

Mexico predicted lineup (4-3-3): Luis Malagon (GK) – Jorge Sanchez, Cesar Montes, Johan Vasquez, Jesus Gallardo – Marcel Ruiz, Edson Alvarez, Oberlin Pineda – Alexis Vega, Raul Jimenez, Roberto Alvarado.