Mexico Takes On Ghana in International Friendly: What to Expect, Bold Predictions, and Starting Lineups

The Mexican national team kicks off its final preparations for the 2026 World Cup on Friday evening with an international friendly against Ghana on home turf in Puebla.

El Tri's World Cup training camp got underway on May 6 with 20 Liga MX players summoned by Javier Aguirre to begin preparations. It was a rocky start to Mexico's pre-tournament buildup, as the Liga MX playoffs were just getting underway, but Aguirre has now had two weeks of training sessions with this group.

Players from foreign leagues have been gradually arriving at Mexico's camp, among them captain Edson Álvarez and World Cup icon Guillermo Ochoa.

Ghana, meanwhile, is also embarking on its final World Cup preparations, though with most of its key players still finishing up their club campaigns, the squad heading to the friendly against Mexico is largely composed of domestic league players and U-23 talents.

Mexico will face one more friendly against Australia before Aguirre announces his definitive World Cup squad, making this one of the last two chances for bubble players to secure one of the 26 available spots. For Aguirre, this is the first of four pre-tournament tune-ups he must use wisely to have El Tri primed for their World Cup opener against South Africa on June 11.

Mexico vs. Ghana Score Prediction

El Tri's Starts World Cup Push on Right Foot

Mexico holds every advantage heading into Friday night's match. The squad has had more time together in training, they're playing at home in the high altitude of Puebla, and they possess far greater quality than a Ghana side missing its top performers.

Encouraging draws against Portugal and especially Belgium have boosted morale and belief within El Tri, and with several of those players set to feature in Friday's friendly against a notably weaker side, Mexico should open its World Cup camp with a victory.

Prediction: Mexico 2–0 Ghana

Mexico Predicted Lineup vs. Ghana

With Johan Vásquez still to arrive at camp, Aguirre will rely on Israel Reyes to partner César Montes at the center of defense. Reyes has predominantly operated at right back under Aguirre but is a natural center back at club level, which also opens the door for Jorge Sánchez to stake his claim on the right side.

Captain Edson Álvarez has logged just two minutes of competitive action since undergoing ankle surgery in February. Aguirre will be eager to give him as much game time as possible to rebuild his rhythm and match fitness ahead of the tournament.

Mexican-American Brian Rodríguez made a strong impression during the March friendlies and is expected to feature, as is Mexico prodigy Gilberto Mora, who has overcome a persistent groin problem and returns to El Tri for the first time in 2026.

Chivas forward Armando González will spearhead the attack, looking to put in a standout display to lock down his roster spot, with the striker position being one of the most fiercely contested at present.

Mexico predicted lineup vs. Ghana (4-3-3): Rangel; Sánchez, Reyes, Montes, Gallardo; Gutiérrez, Álvarez, Mora; Alvarado, González, Vega

Ghana Predicted Lineup vs. Mexico

Without the likes of Antoine Semenyo, Mohammed Kudus, and Thomas Partey, Queiroz faces a significant challenge in assembling a lineup capable of matching a Mexico side that is close to full strength.

Goalkeeper Benjamin Asare is the sole player in Ghana's current squad who also featured in the side that fell to Austria and Germany back in March. Defender Oscar Oppong, who turns out for Granada in La Liga2, is expected to start. Razak Simpson will serve as the defensive anchor on Friday night.

Striker Jerry Afriye will lead the attack, with Ghana's Olympic team standout Felix Afena-Gyan providing support from the left flank. Stoke City winger Jesurun Rak-Sakyi, who has switched his international allegiance from England to Ghana, could earn his debut for the Black Stars.

Ghana largely operated in a 5-4-1 system under Addo, but Queiroz may transition to his favored 4-1-4-1 setup following his appointment.

Ghana predicted lineup vs. Mexico (4-1-4-1): Asare; Oppong, Simpson, Dacosta, Yegbe; Agyei; Rak-Sakyi, Ashimeru, Adams, Afena-Gyan; Afriye

What Time Does Mexico vs. Ghana Kick Off?

How to Watch Mexico vs. Ghana on TV, Live Stream