Santi to start? Projecting Aguirre’s starting XI vs. South Korea
MEXICO CITY: Mexico’s national team will face South Korea on Tuesday at GEODIS Park in Nashville, following a 0-0 draw against Japan that exposed ongoing challenges under head coach Javier Aguirre. The friendly serves as a critical opportunity for Mexico to adjust its lineup and sharpen tactics ahead of the 2026 World Cup, which Mexico will open at home on June 11.
After the stalemate with Japan at Oakland Coliseum, Aguirre acknowledged Mexico’s performance was lacking and that the team did not deserve victory. However, he emphasized the developmental importance of these matches despite the unfavorable result. Although Mexico captured the CONCACAF Nations League and Gold Cup titles earlier in 2025, Aguirre remains uncertain about a settled squad for the World Cup and has faced criticism over his player selections.
The team will be without key midfielder Edson Álvarez, sidelined for three weeks due to a muscle injury, ruling him out of the South Korea encounter. Several other usual starters—Jorge Sánchez, Jesús Gallardo, Roberto Alvarado, and Raúl Jiménez—may also be rested or rotated. The exact starting eleven has yet to be confirmed, but Aguirre is widely expected to make significant tactical and personnel adjustments.
This match offers Mexico a vital platform to reassess its options and address concerns over cohesion and attacking efficiency. For Aguirre, it is a chance to refine his squad ahead of the critical qualification and preparation phase leading up to the 2026 World Cup hosted, in part, by Mexico.