Mexico continue their ramp-up to next summer’s FIFA World Cup on home soil as they take on South Korea in a friendly from Nashville on Tuesday evening.
El Tri played out a drab 0-0 draw with Japan on the west coast over the weekend, as both teams kept the opponent in check across the 90 minutes.
Defensively, Mexico have improved significantly across 2025 under Javier Aguirre, but they remain spotty up front as they search for consistent performers in front of goal.
South Korea, ranked 23rd in the world by FIFA’s official system, looked strong in a 2-0 victory against the United States on Saturday in New Jersey. The Taegeuk Warriors were out-shot 17-5 but finished their chances much more efficiently.
It’s likely that both teams will rotate their starting lineups for this match, with just three days between their two international matches this month.
Mexico vs. South Korea lineups: Starting XI, team news, rosters
Mexico saw key midfielder Edson Alvarez, who joined Turkish side Fenerbahce this summer, injured in the first half of Saturday’s draw. While head coach Javier Aguirre said he was “feeling better” after the match, it’s unlikely he will be risked in this subsequent friendly shortly after. Defender Cesar Montes was informed the day of the match that he would be suspended for a late red card against Japan, which was a surprise considering red cards usually do not carry over between friendlies.
Hirving “Chucky” Lozano has been called back into the Mexico squad for the first time since early 2024, as he’s been a key player for San Diego FC in MLS. However, goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa, who was part of the Gold Cup squad this summer, was left out as he still has not found a club.
Monterrey striker German Berterame has been called up thanks to an explosive start to the season, while uncapped midfielder Juanjo Purata has been called in. Gold Cup final starter Gilberto Mora is not with the group as he is part of the U-20 World Cup squad, along with Obed Vargas. Forward Cesar Huerta withdrew due to an undisclosed injury.
Mexico starting lineup (4-3-3, right to left): 12. Rangel (GK) — 24. Huescas, 15. Purata, 5. J. Vasquez, 26. Chavez — 18. E. Sanchez, 6. Lira, 14. M. Ruiz — 7. Berterame, 9. Jimenez, 22. Lozano.
Full Mexico roster
Goalkeepers: Luis Malagon (Club America), Carlos Moreno (Pachuca), Raul Rangel (Guadalajara)
Defenders: Mateo Chavez (AZ Alkmaar), Jesus Gallardo (Toluca), Rodrigo Huescas (FC Copenhagen), Cesar Montes (Lokomotiv Moscow), Jesus Orozco (Cruz Azul), Juanjo Purata (Tigres), Jorge Sanchez (Cruz Azul), Johan Vasquez (Genoa)
Midfielders: Edson Alvarez (Fenerbahce), Erik Lira (Cruz Azul), Orbelin Pineda (AEK Athens), Carlos Rodriguez (Cruz Azul), Marcel Ruiz (Toluca), Erick Sanchez (Club America)
Forwards: Roberto Alvarado (Chivas Guadalajara), German Berterame (Monterrey), Santiago Gimenez (AC Milan), Raul Jimenez (Fulham), Diego Lainez (Tigres), Hirving Lozano (FC San Diego), Alexis Vega (Toluca).
Former Spurs star Son Heung-min, now 32 years old and with MLS side LAFC, started against the United States and scored in the 2-0 victory, but could be rotated out. Veteran defender Kim Min-Jae of Bayern Munich is also a recognizable name in the squad, along with Paris Saint-Germain backup Lee Kang-in.
South Korea are without experienced midfielder Hwang In-beom who was forced to withdraw from the squad after suffering a calf injury on club duty with Dutch side Feyenoord. It was surprising to see veteran Hwang Hee-chan left off the roster despite starting and scoring against Everton over the weekend.
Hoping to earn his first international cap is Germany youth international Jens Castrop who made the one-time switch to represent South Korea last month. The 22-year-old midfielder moved to Borussia Monchengladbach this summer from Nurnberg and now has a view towards international football.
South Korea starting lineup (5-4-1, right to left): 1. S.G. Kim (GK) — 15. M.H. Kim, 3. H.B. Lee, 4. M.J. Kim, 26. T.H. Kim, 2. M.J. Lee — 18. K.I. Lee, 23. Castrop, 5. Y.W. Park, 17. J.H. Bae — 19. H.G. Oh.
Full South Korea roster
Goalkeepers: Kim Seung-guy (FC Tokyo), Jo Hyeon-woo (Ulsan HD), Song Bum-keun (Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors)
Defenders: Kim Min-jae (Bayern Munich), Kim Moon-hwan (Daejeon Hana Citizen), Seol Young-woo (Red Star Belgrade), Lee Myung-jae (Daejeon Hana Citizen), Lee Tae-seok (Austria Wien), Kim Ju-sung (Sanfrecce Hiroshima), Byeon Jun-soo (Gwangju FC), Kim Tae-hyeon (Kashima Antlers), Lee Han-beom (FC Midtjylland)
Midfielders: Lee Jae-sung (FC Mainz), Lee Kang-in (PSG), Park Yong-woo (Al-Ain), Paik Seung-ho (Birmingham City), Kim Jin-gyu (Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors), Lee Dong-gyeong (Gimcheon Sangmu), Bae Jun-ho (Stoke City), Park Jin-seob (Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors), Seo Min-woo (Gangwon FC), Jeong San-bin (St. Louis City), Jens Castrop (Borussia Monchengladbach)
Forwards: Son Heung-min (LAFC), Oh Hyeon-gyu (Genk), Oh Se-hun (Machida Zelvia).
Mexico vs. South Korea match details
- Date: Tuesday, September 9, 2025
- Kickoff Time: 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT
- Location: GEODIS Park (Nashville, TN)
- Last meeting: South Korea 2-3 Mexico (Sep. 23, 2022 | Friendly)
