Top Stories

mexico vs japan

Silas Avatar
Silas

Mexico and Japan played an international soccer friendly on Saturday, September 6, 2025, at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum in California, with kick-off at 10:00 PM EDT[1][2][3]. The match featured both teams preparing for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup, with Mexico looking to extend its winning streak over Japan, having won their previous two encounters[1].

The game was broadcast live on FOX Deportes and available for streaming on Fubo, with coverage options including TUDN, Univision, Fox Sports App, ViX, and TUDN.com for fans in the United States[1][3]. Japan, featuring a squad with several European-based players, provided a strong challenge, and the match was seen as a valuable test for both sides ahead of the World Cup[2].

Mexico, led by manager Javier Aguirre, fielded a squad very similar to its Gold Cup–winning team, including the return of San Diego winger Hirving Lozano and a potential debut for center-back Juanjo Purata[1][3]. Raúl Jiménez, known for stepping up in international play, was expected to lead Mexico’s attack. Japan’s team, managed by Hajime Moriyasu, included Premier League champion and national team captain Wataru Endo[1].

Mexico entered the match as the reigning Gold Cup and Nations League champions, while Japan had recently claimed the EAFF E-1 Championship. Both teams had already qualified for the 2026 World Cup, making the friendly a chance for fringe players to impress before final squad selections[2].

The match itself was tightly contested, staying level at 0–0 through the first half with significant chances for both sides. Takumi Minamino nearly gave Japan the lead with a powerful shot, but was denied[4]. According to live updates, the score remained even throughout much of the game[6].

Mexico’s preparations were disrupted somewhat by an equipment theft incident after arriving on the West Coast; however, the team remained focused on the pitch[1].

References

Other Posts