Mexico vs Paraguay: World Cup Tune-Up
Mexico vs Paraguay: Crucial World Cup Tune-Up in San Antonio
The Mexican national team faces Paraguay in a high-stakes international friendly at San Antonio's Alamodome on Tuesday, November 18, 2025. This match serves as the final tune-up for El Tri ahead of the 2026 World Cup, which Mexico co-hosts with the United States and Canada. With elevated expectations for a home tournament, Mexico enters the contest on a concerning five-match winless streak, making this fixture a critical opportunity to build momentum before the global event.
Stakes and Context
Sporting director Duilio Davino emphasized the significance of hosting the World Cup, stating, "We have high expectations, since we have a World Cup at home. It's our goal that we can really reach our fans and make them live their dreams." Mexico's recent form has been worrisome, with just three goals in their last five games, including a 0-0 draw against Uruguay on November 15. Meanwhile, Paraguay, also a World Cup qualifier, faces similar struggles after a 2-1 loss to the United States, extending their own winless streak to three games.
Squad Rotations and Key Battles
Coach Javier Aguirre is expected to rotate heavily to evaluate fringe players for the World Cup roster. Key absences include AC Milan forward Santiago Giménez (ankle injury), while Liga MX top scorer Armando González gets his national team debut. Goalkeeper Luis Ángel Malagón likely returns after Raúl Rángel's start against Uruguay.
Paraguay's Gustavo Alfaro will also shake up his lineup, though stars like Miguel Almiron, Diego Gomez, and Julio Enciso are expected to feature. Omar Aldréte's red card against the USMNT could see Blas Riveros and Gustavo Gomez form the center-back pairing.
Head-to-Head and Prediction
Mexico dominates the all-time series 11-5-5, but Paraguay won their last meeting 1-0 in 2022. Both teams need a victory to boost confidence before 2026. Sports Illustrated predicts Mexico 2-0, citing improved midfield control with Erik Lira replacing Edson Álvarez and Armando González's potential impact.
"The game in San Antonio is very important to us. It's against a national team that's very competitive, very tough like Paraguay is." — Duilio Davino, Mexico Sporting Director
As the final international match of 2025, this friendly is more than a warmup—it's a statement of intent. Mexico will look to end their winless drought and deliver a performance to satisfy fans eager for a home World Cup triumph.
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Emily Rodriguez
Sports journalist covering international football, Olympics, and athlete profiles. Award-winning sports writer.