{"id":9375,"date":"2026-03-30T02:05:10","date_gmt":"2026-03-30T02:05:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/be\/9375\/"},"modified":"2026-03-30T02:05:10","modified_gmt":"2026-03-30T02:05:10","slug":"preview-mexico-vs-belgium-prediction-team-news-lineups","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/be\/9375\/","title":{"rendered":"Preview: Mexico vs Belgium – prediction, team news, lineups"},"content":{"rendered":"

World Cup 2026<\/a> co-hosts Mexico<\/a> are set for a stern test on Wednesday, when they face off against in-form Belgium<\/a> in an international friendly at Chicago’s Soldier Field.<\/p>\n

El Tri could make it four wins from five games in midweek, while\u00a0the Red Devils are eyeing a third straight victory.<\/p>\n

Match preview<\/p>\n

Javier Aguirre<\/a>‘s Mexico automatically qualified for the World Cup as co-hosts of this year’s tournament, and they come into this clash on the back of an impressive start to 2026.<\/p>\n

After the excitement of beating the United States 2-1 to lift the Gold Cup<\/a> last summer had faded, El Tri closed out 2025 with a frustrating six-game winless run, losing twice – 4-0 against Colombia<\/a> on October 12 and 2-1 against Paraguay<\/a> on November 19.<\/p>\n

However, Aguirre’s side gone some way towards allaying any fears by starting the World Cup year by winning three and drawing one of their four outings so far, most recently holding out in a 0-0 stalemate with Bruno Fernandes’s Portugal<\/a> on Sunday.<\/p>\n

Adding to the growing confidence within the Mexico camp is the fact that the nation’s stalwart defence has yet to concede even once in 2026, collecting four consecutive clean sheets ahead of Wednesday’s showdown.<\/p>\n

That being said, Belgium represent arguably the toughest opposition that El Tri have faced since their 3-2 defeat against Brazil back in June 2024<\/a>, and given that they have only scored more than one goal once across their last seven outings, Aguirre’s defence will need to be at their best if they are to triumph in midweek.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\u00a9 Imago \/ Crystal Pix<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Rudi Garcia<\/a>‘s Belgium are one of the most in-form national teams in the world at the moment, and they head into this game unbeaten for more than 12 months.<\/p>\n

On Saturday,\u00a0the Red Devils followed up their 7-0 hammering of Liechtenstein<\/a> on November 18 by coming from behind to thrash the USA 5-2<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Centre-back Zeno Debast cancelled out Weston McKennie’s opener\u00a0just before the interval, and a second-half rout courtesy of efforts from Amadou Onana and\u00a0Charles De Ketelaere – as well as a brace from Benfica’s\u00a0Dodi Lukebakio – completed the turnaround.<\/p>\n

That victory came in Belgium’s first game of 2026, and helped to set the tone for the year after Garcia’s side qualified for the World Cup without tasting defeat once – winning five times and drawing thrice as they beat Wales to top spot in European qualifying group J.<\/p>\n

Another success on Wednesday would help the Red Devils as they aim to carry their hot streak into this summer’s tournament, where they are planning to make amends for their dire group-stage elimination from the 2022 edition in Qatar.<\/p>\n

Mexico International Friendlies form:<\/p>\n

Belgium International Friendlies form:<\/p>\n

Belgium form (all competitions):<\/p>\n

Team News
\n<\/p>\n

\u00a9 Imago \/ ZUMA Press Wire<\/p>\n

Mexico are without captain Edson Alvarez – who suffered a knee injury back in February – and while the versatile defensive midfielder is expected to be fully fit for the World Cup, Erik Lira could start alongside\u00a0Roberto Alvarado and\u00a0Obed Vargas in the centre of the park on Wednesday.<\/p>\n

Up top, familiar face Raul Jimenez looks set to lead the line once again, potentially supported by Alvaro Fidalgo of Real Betis and Brian Gutierrez of Chivas.<\/p>\n

As for Belgium,\u00a0Leandro Trossard<\/a> is one of many Arsenal players to have withdrawn from international duty this month, so expect to see a trio of Jeremy Doku, Kevin De Bruyne<\/a> and\u00a0Alexis Saelemaekers operate behind Atalanta star Charles De Ketelaere.<\/p>\n

At the opposite end of the pitch, Manchester United goalkeeper\u00a0Senne Lammens should be protected by a centre-back pairing consisting of Sporting Lisbon’s\u00a0Zeno Debast and Club Brugge’s\u00a0Brandon Mechele.<\/p>\n

Elsewhere,\u00a0Amadou Onana of Aston Villa and\u00a0Nicolas Raskin of Rangers will be looking to provide stability for their nation’s four-man frontline from the base of midfield.<\/p>\n

Mexico possible starting lineup:<\/p>\n

Rangel; Reyes, Montes, Vasquez, Gallardo; Alvarado, Lira, Vargas; Fidalgo, Jimenez, Gutierrez<\/p>\n

Belgium possible starting lineup:<\/p>\n

Lammens; Meunier, Debast, Mechele, De Cuyper; Raskin, Onana;\u00a0Saelemaekers, De Bruyne, Doku;\u00a0De Ketelaere<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

We say: Mexico 1-2 Belgium<\/p>\n


\n\u00a0
\n \n<\/p>\n

Mexico have made a commendable start to 2026, and their defensive strength means that Wednesday’s clash is likely to be a close affair.<\/p>\n

However, Belgium have carried on their hot streak from 2025, and they may prove too much for El Tri to handle in midweek.<\/p>\n

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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