Pre-World Cup 2026 friendlies: Mexico-Serbia, likely lineups
Mexico wants to be ready for its home World Cup, which it is set to co-host along with the United States and Canada. The selection led by Javier Aguirre will have the honor of officially opening the dances on June 11, exactly one week from now, taking the field in the opening match against South Africa for Group A (group that also includes South Korea).
The two friendlies played in this international window confirmed that Tri is already in full World Cup mood. First came the 2-0 success against Ghana, then the narrow victory against Australia, which was bent last Sunday by a goal from Genoan Johan Vásquez (1-0). This triumph over the Socceroos extended the positive streak of Aguirre’s men, who remain unbeaten for 7 matches (5 wins and 2 draws) and have yet to know defeat in 2026. The technical commissioner is armoring the defense: in this partial, Mexico has cashed in just one goal, collecting an impressive 6 clean sheets.
The last test before the debut in the rainbow review will be against Serbia, a national team excluded from the World Cup and back from the resounding 3-0 friendly knockout against Cape Verde. The challenge is scheduled for 4 a.m. Italian time tonight. Serbian coach Veljko Paunovic, who is awaiting a complex reconstruction, has decided to give the group’s big names a rest – leaving stars of the caliber of Vlahovic, Kostic and Milinkovic-Savic at home. Even in the Toluca test against the Mexicans, Serbia will therefore continue to give room for experiments and wide rotations.
Aguirre warms up many starters who will make their debut on June 11, the opening day of the tournament: Ochoa between the posts, 4-man defense with Reyes and Gallardo at full-back, Montes and Gomez manning the penalty area. In the three-quarter space for the 2008 class Mora with Huerta and Quinones on his flanks, only forward Santi Gimenez.
Paunovic leaves Vlahovic, Milinkovic Savic and Kostic at home to make room for the second lines. Filip Stankovic fresh from his promotion to Serie A with Venezia will be there as a fullback, Simic and Pavlovic will be the central players in the 4-man defense, in the middle Aleksandar Stankovic and Petrovic, Zivkovic and Randelovic on the flanks to support Ivanovic as the only forward.
Probable lineups
MESSICO (4-2-3-1): Ochoa; Reyes, Montes, Gomez, Gallardo; Vargas, Lira; Huerta, Mora, Quinones; Gimenez. All. Aguirre.
SERBIA (4-2-3-1): F. Stankovic; Mimovic, Simic, Pavlovic, Avdic; Petrovic, A. Stankovic; Zivkovic, Zukic, Randelovic; Ivanovic. All. Paunovic.
