News

Is Hirving Lozano playing today? Projected lineups for Mexico vs Peru in 2026 International friendly game

Hirving Lozano and Pedro Gallese.
© Getty ImagesHirving Lozano and Pedro Gallese.

Mexico faces Peru at Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, New Jersey, on Tuesday night, with Hirving Lozano expected to keep his place on the left wing after making his long-awaited return to El Tri in the 1-1 draw against Colombia. The international friendly is the second of four games on Mexico’s schedule in this FIFA window under new head coach Rafael Marquez.

Lozano had not played for Mexico since March 2024, having been left out throughout Javier Aguirre’s tenure. Marquez brought the San Diego FC winger, currently on loan at LA Galaxy, back for his first squad and handed him a start against Colombia. “I think Hirving can still give us something more. He’s a difference-maker,” Marquez said when explaining the decision.

That draw in Baltimore came courtesy of Gilberto Mora, who canceled out Luis Suarez’s ninth-minute opener with a 62nd-minute equalizer to become the youngest goalscorer in the history of the Mexican national team at 17.

Peru, meanwhile, arrives in need of a response after a 4-1 loss to the USMNT in Orlando on Saturday, with Gianluca Lapadula scoring the lone goal for Mano Menezes’ side.

Projected lineup for Mexico

Marquez is expected to stick with the 4-3-3 he used against Colombia, with Obed Vargas and Alvaro Fidalgo coming into the midfield alongside Erik Lira and Cesar Montes returning at center-back. Armando Gonzalez should lead the line once again, with Raul Jimenez and Julian Quinones still sidelined through injury.

Mexico projected starting XI: Raul Rangel; Jorge Sanchez, Cesar Montes, Johan Vasquez, Jesus Gallardo; Erik Lira, Obed Vargas, Alvaro Fidalgo; Roberto Alvarado, Armando Gonzalez, Hirving Lozano.

Projected lineup for Peru

Menezes is expected to line up in a 4-2-3-1, with Pedro Gallese in goal, Yoshimar Yotun anchoring the midfield and Lapadula leading the attack after finding the net against the United States.

Peru projected starting XI: Pedro Gallese; Oliver Sonne, Erick Noriega, Alfonso Barco, Marco Huaman; Jesus Pretell, Yoshimar Yotun; Bassco Soyer, Rodrigo Vilca, Jairo Velez; Gianluca Lapadula.

200+ Channels & Local Sports
  • Price: Plans starting at $14.99/mo (Latino)
  • Watch Ligue 1, Copa Libertadores & World Cup Qualifiers
Every MLS Match in One Place
  • Price: $12.99/mo (Now included with standard subscription)
  • Watch every MLS regular season game, Playoffs & Leagues Cup
Many Sports & ESPN Originals
  • Price: $11.99/mo (or ESPN Unlimited for $29.99/mo)
  • Features LaLiga, FA Cup & NWSL
2,000+ Soccer Games Per Year
  • Price: Starting at $8.99/mo
  • Features Champions League, Serie A & Europa League
Home of the Premier League
  • Price: Starting at $10.99/mo
  • 175+ Exclusive EPL matches per season

EDITORS’ PICKS