The Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo could participate in a preparation match for the World Cup at the renovated Azteca Stadium on March 28. The Mexican national team will face Portugal, currently in sixth place in the FIFA ranking, in one of the two friendlies confirmed by the Mexican federation.
Mexico will face two teams from the world’s top eight during the March 2026 international window. The second match will be against Belgium at Soldier Field in Chicago on March 31.
Despite having been sanctioned with a three-match suspension for his red card in a World Cup qualifying match, Ronaldo has already served the mandatory suspension match.Cristiano Ronaldo is eligible to play in the friendly Portugal-Mexico on March 28 in Mexico City.
Ronaldo did not participate in Portugal’s last qualifying match last week, a 9-1 victory over Armenia that secured their place in the World Cup that will begin in June in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
FIFA released a disciplinary verdict last week that imposed a three-match suspension, considering Ronaldo’s action as “violent conduct” or “serious foul play”, but the sanction for the remaining matches is deferred for a probationary period of one year.
After a disappointing year-end, with four draws and defeats against Colombia (4-0) and Paraguay (2-1), Mexico’s coach, Javier Aguirre, seeks to test his team against two strong contenders before the World Cup. Mexico has never beaten Portugal in their previous six encounters.
Mexico was eliminated in the group stage of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Mexico will debut in Group A of the World Cup on June 11 at the Azteca against an opponent to be decided in the December 5 draw. Then, Mexico will play on June 18 in Guadalajara and close the group stage on June 24, again at the Azteca.
