Mexico Faces Bolivia In High-Stakes Friendly Showdown

The Mexico national team is wasting no time as it sets its sights on the 2026 FIFA World Cup, launching preparations with a challenging international friendly against Bolivia in Santa Cruz. While the stakes may not be as high as a World Cup qualifier, there’s no mistaking the importance of this clash for both squads. With a roster brimming with fresh faces and several regulars missing due to the match falling outside a FIFA international window, El Tri is eager to build momentum after snapping a six-game winless streak just days earlier.

Sunday’s showdown at the Estadio Ramón Aguilera Costas marks another opportunity for head coach Javier Aguirre to experiment and evaluate, especially with Mexico’s domestic league, Liga MX, on break and most European-based stars unavailable. The match is set for January 25, 2026, with kickoff at 3:30 p.m. local time in Bolivia—translating to 2:30 p.m. Eastern, 1:30 p.m. Central, and so on for fans tuning in across the United States.

It’s been a whirlwind week for El Tri. Just days ago, Mexico faced Panama and eked out a 1-0 victory, courtesy of a dramatic stoppage-time own goal. According to Sports Illustrated, "Mexico was far from flashy but managed to defeat Panama 1–0 on Thursday with a stoppage-time own goal." That result not only brought relief after a string of disappointing outings but also injected some much-needed confidence into a young, evolving squad.

Bolivia, meanwhile, is treating this friendly as a critical warm-up ahead of its own World Cup playoff ambitions. Head coach Óscar Villegas has assembled a roster dominated by local league talent, with Club Bolívar contributing a staggering eight players. Over half of Bolivia’s camp is comprised of U-23 players, signaling a bold youth movement. Still, the presence of veteran goalkeeper Carlos Lampe offers stability at the back. Youngsters Miguel Terceros and Ervin Vaca, both regulars under Villegas, are tipped to start against Mexico.

For those eager to watch, the match is available in the United States on Fox One, Fox Deportes, TUDN, Univision, and streaming platforms like Fubo and ViX. Mexican viewers can catch the action on Canal 5, TUDN, ViX, Azteca 7, and Azteca Deportes Network. With so many channels carrying the game, there’s no excuse to miss what promises to be a telling encounter for both nations.

Mexico’s squad for this window is notably experimental. With clubs not required to release players outside official FIFA dates, Aguirre has leaned heavily on Liga MX-based regulars. Notably, three U.S.-born players with USMNT experience—Richard Ledezma, Brian Gutierrez, and Obed Vargas—have been called up, an intriguing twist that has caught the attention of fans on both sides of the border. According to The Sporting News, "Mexico called up three U.S.-born players with USMNT experience: Richard Ledezma, Brian Gutierrez, and Obed Vargas."

The roster features goalkeepers Angel Malagon, Raul Rangel, and Carlos Acevedo. Defenders include Eduardo Aguila, Jesus Gallardo, Bryan Gonzalez, Victor Guzman, Ramon Juarez, Richard Ledezma, Everardo Lopez, Israel Reyes, and Jorge Sanchez. The midfield is anchored by Roberto Alvarado, Kevin Castaneda, Iker Fimbres, Denzell Garcia, Brian Gutierrez, Diego Lainez, Erik Lira, Gilberto Mora, Luis Romo, Carlos Rodriguez, Marcel Ruiz, and Obed Vargas. Up front, German Berterame, Armando Gonzalez, and Angel Sepulveda lead the attack.

Injuries and off-field issues have also shaped the squad. Alexis Vega is sidelined with a knee injury that will keep him out for four to six weeks. Hirving Lozano, currently in his offseason with San Diego FC, has not been called up due to an ongoing dispute with his MLS club. Aguirre’s willingness to adapt and test new combinations could pay dividends down the line, especially given the unpredictable nature of international football.

Mexico’s probable starting XI reflects this experimental approach. Tala Rangel is expected to get the nod in goal. The back line will likely feature Jorge Sanchez, Israel Reyes, 20-year-old Everardo López, and Jesus Gallardo. In midfield, Marcel Ruiz returns, joined by Erik Lira and Carlos Rodriguez. The attacking trio is set to include Diego Lainez, Armando "Hormiga" Gonzalez, and Kevin Castañeda. This blend of youth and experience aims to capitalize on Bolivia’s similarly untested lineup.

The last time these teams met, Mexico edged Bolivia 1-0 in a May 2024 friendly. Historically, El Tri has dominated the head-to-head, winning four and drawing one of the last five encounters. Still, playing in Bolivia is never an easy task—especially in Santa Cruz, where the hosts are known for their resilience. Bolivia’s previous outing, a 1-1 draw with Panama, showcased their ability to frustrate opponents and play with discipline.

Bolivia’s predicted lineup, according to Sports Illustrated, features Lampe in goal; a back four of Macazaga, Gómez, Arroyo, and Rodríguez; midfielders Villarroel, Vaca, and Vaca; and a forward line of Terceros, Miranda, and Nava. With so many young players hungry to impress ahead of World Cup playoffs, expect Bolivia to approach this match with energy and tactical discipline.

Mexico’s formation is also in flux. For the first time in almost a year, Aguirre abandoned his preferred 4-3-3 in favor of a 3-4-3 setup during the Panama match—a tactic likely to continue through the January camp. As Sports Illustrated notes, "Aguirre is expected to make wholesale changes to the XI that took the pitch in Panama. However, for the first time in almost a year, El Vasco abandoned his preferred 4-3-3 set up and in favor of trialing a 3-4-3." Dual nationals Obed Vargas and Richard Ledezma are expected to retain their places, while Brian Gutierrez may give way to other midfield options. Cruz Azul’s Erik Lira and Charly Gutierrez are likely to feature prominently, with Jesús Gallardo deployed as a wingback. Up top, Armando Gonzalez could earn his first start for the national team.

Recent form paints a telling picture. Bolivia’s last five matches include a 1-1 draw with Panama, and defeats to Peru, Japan, South Korea, and Russia. Mexico, on the other hand, has shown signs of recovery after a rough patch in late 2025, capped by the recent win in Panama. The friendly nature of this fixture doesn’t diminish its significance: for both coaches, it’s a crucial opportunity to test depth, experiment with tactics, and build chemistry ahead of more consequential fixtures.

While pundits are predicting a closely contested affair, with few clear-cut chances and much of the action unfolding in midfield, Mexico’s superior depth and quality in key positions could tip the balance. As Sports Illustrated predicts, "Sunday’s clash will be a tightly-contested affair with scoring opportunities expected to be hard to come by for both teams... Nevertheless, Mexico has enough quality from the midfield forward to threaten a Bolivia side devoid of its best talents."

As the final whistle approaches, both squads will be eager to take positives from the experience—whether that’s a statement win, a hard-fought draw, or simply the emergence of new talent. For Mexico, the road to 2026 is just beginning, but every step counts. For Bolivia, the focus remains on their looming playoff and the dream of a first World Cup appearance this century. The journey continues, and all eyes are on Santa Cruz for the next chapter in both teams’ stories.