Mexico's Rising Stars Set to Shine Against Japan and South Korea in Crucial September Showdowns
Mexico's national squad returns to competitive play with a pair of exhibition contests against Japan and South Korea throughout the September international window.
Following several years of instability and disappointing outcomes, 2025 has marked a successful period for El Tri. Champions of this year's Concacaf Nations League and Gold Cup tournaments, Mexico has reclaimed its position as the dominant force in the region. Javier Aguirre's appointment has brought stability to a previously directionless team, though the ultimate challenge awaits next summer.
Mexico's concluding preparation phase for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which they will jointly host, commences with this September gathering. "El Vasco" revealed he has already solidified more than half of his World Cup selection following the Gold Cup triumph. The time has arrived for borderline candidates to demonstrate their worth and secure the remaining positions.
The roster assembled for the forthcoming fixtures closely mirrors the group that guided Mexico to Gold Cup success. Nevertheless, there are fresh faces who haven't appeared recently but maintain genuine prospects of earning World Cup inclusion.
Here are three athletes to monitor for Mexico during September's international competitions.
Hirving Lozano
For the initial time during Javier Aguirre's tenure, Hirving "El Chucky" Lozano will receive consideration with El Tri.
More than twelve months have passed since Lozano wore Mexico's jersey, having been excluded from El Tri's squad that was eliminated in the group stage of the 2024 Copa América. The past few years have proven challenging for Lozano, whose underwhelming performance during his return to PSV Eindhoven led to the conclusion of his European football journey.
However, Lozano has been thriving since transferring to MLS with expansion franchise San Diego FC. His nine strikes and six assists have propelled San Diego to become among MLS's elite teams, making them the first club to secure playoff qualification.
Lozano operates on the left flank for his club and has primarily featured in that position with El Tri, including during the previous two World Cups. Yet, with Alexis Vega apparently controlling that role for Mexico, Lozano might be considered as a right-wing alternative. He's familiar with the position, having played there throughout most of his Serie A tenure with Napoli and when he first emerged with Pachuca more than ten years ago.
El Tri has been missing a winger capable of beating defenders and reaching the touchline since Aguirre assumed control. Additionally, they've lacked an attacker who prefers receiving passes in space rather than to feet. El Chucky has built his reputation on making runs into space—exemplified by his strike against Germany in the 2018 World Cup. It will be fascinating to observe how Aguirre employs a player with different characteristics than all others he's used on the wings in 2025.
Should he deliver and display flashes of the talent that established him as one of Mexico's most promising players of the last decade, the former World Cup standout could potentially participate in his third tournament next summer.
Germán Berterame
Many expressed shock when Aguirre selected Germán Berterame last October for his El Tri debut in an exhibition against Valencia.
The Argentine-born forward hasn't appeared since for Mexico, due to a notable decline in performance early in the year. However, circumstances improved following an impressive display for Monterrey during the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.
Berterame netted three times during Monterrey's advancement to the round of 16 in the global competition. He's continued that momentum with four goals across seven matches in the Liga MX Apertura 2025 campaign, with Monterrey currently leading the table.
Ángel Sepúlveda and Henry Martín had been selected over him by Aguirre in recent El Tri squads, but with both veteran strikers sidelined through injury, Berterame has a chance to display his abilities.
AC Milan forward Santiago Giménez has endured difficulties at both club and international level for most of the previous six months. Berterame could emerge as competition for Giménez if his form continues, particularly given his comfort operating outside the penalty area and combining with teammates—areas where Giménez still faces challenges.
It's entirely plausible that maintaining his current positive trajectory could see Berterame serve as Raúl Jiménez's understudy next summer.
Rodrigo Huescas
No position remains more contested in El Tri's World Cup preparations than right-back.
Throughout the Gold Cup, Israel Reyes, Julián Araújo and Jorge Sánchez all received starts at right-back, with none establishing themselves as the definitive choice. An open battle for the position clearly continues.
Enter Rodrigo Huescas.
Huescas has emerged as one of FC Copenhagen's premier performers this early season, playing a crucial part in securing Champions League qualification just under two weeks ago. The 21-year-old defender has demonstrated equal capability in a four-man defense or as a wing-back in a five-man system.
Despite having only two international appearances for El Tri, his first start came in last year's 4–0 triumph in the Nations League quarterfinals against Honduras, arguably Mexico's finest display since Aguirre took charge.
Given the absence of an established starter and considering his competition, Huescas possesses excellent prospects not only to earn World Cup selection, but to potentially start at right-back in El Tri's opening fixture of the 2026 World Cup.