USMNT vs Mexico: Projected lineups for 2026 international friendly at State Farm Stadium

USMNT and Mexico renew their CONCACAF rivalry on Saturday, October 3, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, in a post-World Cup international friendly that serves as a tough challenge for both sides.

Mexico comes in still searching for its first win of this new national team cycle under Rafa Márquez, having played to back-to-back 1-1 draws against Colombia and Peru, needing to come from behind in both to salvage the result.

The United States, meanwhile, arrives in good form under Mauricio Pochettino, having scored eight goals across its first two matches of the window with wins over Peru (4-1) and Chile (4-2).

Christian Pulisic remains one of the notable absences for the USMNT in this window, while Mexico will also be without Julián Quiñones as Márquez continues experimenting with his lineup heading into a new cycle.

The match also marks one of Tyler Adams’ first appearances since being officially named the USMNT’s new captain, taking over the armband from Tim Ream following his international retirement.

Probable lineup for Mexico

Márquez rested a large portion of his starting group against Peru to have them available for this one, with the attack under particular scrutiny after struggling to find the net against a tough USMNT backline so far this window.

Mexico probable starting XI: Raúl Rangel; Jorge Sánchez, Israel Reyes, Johan Vásquez, Mateo Chávez; Álvaro Fidalgo, Erik Lira, Luis Chávez; Roberto Alvarado, Hirving Lozano, Armando González.

Probable lineup for USMNT

Pochettino is expected to blend his more experienced names with the younger talent that has impressed through the first two matches of this window, continuing to build depth ahead of the new cycle.

USMNT probable starting XI: Matt Freese; Alex Freeman, George Campbell, Auston Trusty, Peyton Miller; Yunus Musah, Tyler Adams; Cavan Sullivan, Gio Reyna, Malik Tillman; Justin Ellis.