All eyes are on AT&T Stadium in Dallas as Mexico and Colombia prepare to lock horns in a high-stakes friendly on October 12, 2025. With the 2026 World Cup looming ever closer, both teams are using this marquee clash as a vital test of their squads, strategies, and ambitions. Fans from both nations have flocked to Texas, eager to see how their sides stack up against world-class opposition, and the sense of anticipation is palpable.
Mexico, one of the 2026 World Cup co-hosts, enters the match with a point to prove. Since they automatically qualified as hosts and didn’t participate in the recent qualification rounds, El Tri’s last taste of competitive action came in their 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup triumph. That victory, especially the 2-1 win over the United States, has buoyed spirits, but head coach Javier Aguirre isn’t resting on his laurels. In his pregame press conference, Aguirre stressed, “We remain focused on testing ourselves in demanding matches, in settings where players won’t feel comfortable, to put them under pressure.” It’s clear: Mexico wants to sharpen its edge before the world comes calling next summer.
However, Mexico will have to contend with some notable absences. Star striker Raúl Jiménez, who has been in excellent form and is just ten goals shy of Javier “Chicharito” Hernández’s all-time national scoring record, won’t take the field tonight. Jiménez suffered a rib injury during Fulham’s recent match against Aston Villa—despite scoring the opener, he was forced off after just eight minutes. While the injury isn’t considered serious and he’s expected to return to club action after the international break, Aguirre chose to rest him for these friendlies, opening the door for Santiago Giménez and Julián Quiñones to step up in attack.
Adding to Mexico’s injury woes, captain Edson Álvarez is also sidelined. Álvarez only just returned from a previous injury to start for Fenerbahçe last weekend, but wasn’t included in the current squad. Right-back Rodrigo Huescas is another absentee, having suffered an ACL injury during a Champions League outing for Copenhagen. These gaps in the lineup could test Mexico’s depth and adaptability, especially against a Colombian side brimming with attacking talent.
Despite these setbacks, El Tri boasts an exciting projected starting eleven. The likely 4-3-3 formation features Luis Malagón between the sticks, a backline of Jorge Sánchez, César Montes, Johan Vásquez, and Jesús Gallardo, and a midfield trio of Carlos Rodríguez, Erik Lira, and Marcel Ruiz. Up front, Hirving Lozano, Santiago Giménez, and Alexis Vega are expected to lead the charge. This blend of experience and youth has kept Mexico unbeaten in their last nine matches, including recent draws against South Korea and Japan.
On the other side of the pitch, Colombia arrives with momentum and a chip on their shoulder. Ranked 13th in the FIFA standings—one spot above Mexico—Los Cafeteros secured their return to the World Cup by finishing third in the fiercely competitive CONMEBOL qualifiers. Their campaign was marked by attacking flair and resilience, tallying seven wins, seven draws, and four losses to amass 28 points. After missing the 2022 World Cup, Colombia’s return to the global stage is highly anticipated, and tonight’s match is their first of two North American friendlies, with Canada up next.
Colombia’s projected lineup is a star-studded 4-3-3: Kevin Mier in goal, a back four of Álvaro Angulo, Davinson Sánchez, Yerry Mina, and Daniel Muñoz, midfielders Kevin Castaño, Jefferson Lerma, and Richard Ríos, and a forward line featuring Luis Díaz, Luis Suárez, and James Rodríguez. Head coach Nestor Lorenzo has plenty of firepower at his disposal, and the team’s recent form underlines their attacking prowess. In their last two World Cup qualifiers, Colombia netted nine goals, including a remarkable 6-3 victory over Venezuela, with Sporting’s Luis Suárez scoring four times.
Perhaps the biggest talking point is Luis Díaz, whose club form has been nothing short of electric. The former Liverpool winger, now dazzling for Bayern Munich, has racked up five goals and four assists in just six Bundesliga appearances this season—including a brace against Eintracht Frankfurt. Díaz also finished as the second-highest scorer in South American qualifying, trailing only Lionel Messi with seven goals. According to betting experts, “Colombia’s best player is Luis Diaz. The ex-Liverpool winger has made a flying start to his career at Bayern Munich.” There’s little doubt that Díaz will be a constant threat to Mexico’s defense.
James Rodríguez, despite a declining club career, remains a talisman for Colombia, often delivering standout performances for his country. The competition for attacking spots is fierce, with Real Betis striker Cucho Hernández and others pushing for minutes. Colombia’s only real concern lies at the back—they conceded 18 goals during qualifying, more than any other top-six South American side. Their full-backs’ tendency to surge forward leaves them exposed, and the search for a reliable successor to veteran goalkeeper David Ospina continues.
With both teams missing key players but still fielding strong lineups, expectations are high for an open, attacking contest. Bookmakers have tipped Colombia as slight favorites, with the moneyline set at +150, and Luis Díaz is considered likely to score at any time. However, Mexico’s home advantage in the U.S. and their recent unbeaten run suggest they won’t go quietly. Betting experts note, “Even without Jimenez, Mexico should still carry a threat in this game. They’ve only failed to score in two of their 12 internationals in 2025.” Santiago Giménez, who scored off the bench against South Korea in the last outing, will be eager to seize his moment in the spotlight.
Fans eager to catch the action can tune in on a variety of channels: Univision Network, TUDN, Fox Deportes, FOX Sports, ViX, fuboTV, Canal 5, and Caracol TV Canal 1, among others. The match kicks off at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT, or 8 p.m. local time in Dallas, ensuring prime-time viewing for supporters on both sides of the border.
As kickoff approaches, the stakes—though technically friendly—couldn’t feel higher. For Mexico, it’s a chance to show they can adapt and thrive without some of their biggest stars, and to build momentum on home soil before the world’s eyes turn to them in 2026. For Colombia, it’s a statement opportunity as they rejoin the World Cup elite and look to fine-tune a squad brimming with attacking talent. With both teams eager to impress and plenty of goals expected, this Dallas showdown has all the makings of a classic international friendly. The action is set to unfold—don’t blink, or you might just miss something special.
