The match started with Mexico controlling possession and creating the better chances, but Serbia struck first after Stanic capitalized on a defensive mistake. Mexico quickly found an equalizer through a Johan Vasquez header and completed the comeback before halftime when a misplayed back pass resulted in an own goal that gave El Tri a 2-1 lead.

In the second half, Mexico took full control of the contest and never looked back. Raul Jimenez extended the advantage after following up a rebound inside the box, while another Serbian own goal and a spectacular long-range strike from Luis Chavez sealed the 5-1 result in front of the home crowd.

How to watch Mexico vs Serbia in the USA

Supporters in the United States will have several options to watch the match live. The game will air on traditional television through FOX Deportes, Univision, and TUDN.

Meanwhile, those looking to stream the action can do so on Fubo, DirecTV Stream, and ViX, ensuring easy access across multiple platforms.

Can I watch Mexico vs Serbia for free?

Fans in the United States can stream this highly anticipated game live on Fubo, DirecTV Stream, since botha have the network broadcasting the matchup.

New subscribers can also take advantage of free trials, with Fubo and DirecTV Stream offering a 5 days free trial.

Match Preview: What’s at stake?

Mexico continues its World Cup preparations with a third friendly after earning wins over Ghana and Australia. Although El Tri delivered positive results, the performances highlighted both strengths and areas that still need improvement, making this matchup another important test.

Serbia enters looking to bounce back from a disappointing 3-0 loss to Cape Verde, giving both teams a valuable opportunity to build confidence and fine-tune their squads ahead of future competitions.

Mexico vs Serbia: Predicted Lineups

Mexico (4-3-3): Rangel; Sánchez, Montes, Vásquez, Gallardo; Lira, Romo, Fidalgo; Quiñones, Vega, Giménez.

Serbia (3-4-2-1): Stankovic; Pavlović, Eraković, Nedeljković; Mimović, Bukinac, Maksimović, Živković; Samardžić, Ivanović; Vlahović.

What time is the Mexico vs Serbia match?

The match kicks off today, June 4, at 10:00 PM (ET). For viewers in different regions of the United States, here are the local start times:

Eastern Time: 10:00 PM
Central Time: 9:00 PM
Mountain Time: 8:00 PM
Pacific Time: 7:00 PM

With Mexico’s final 26-man roster officially revealed, Ochoa is on the verge of making history with his sixth World Cup appearance. Rather than just traveling as a veteran mentor, momentum has shifted significantly in his favor to stand between the posts on June 11.

Back in 2010, Ochoa was enjoying a spectacular run of form with Club America. However, Aguirre famously benched him in favor of Oscar Perez—a decision that deeply frustrated the fanbase. Now, a reverse parallel seems to be unfolding ahead of the opening match at the Mexico City Stadium.

Reports from Carlos Guerrero of TV Azteca indicate that Ochoa has a very real chance of starting against South Africa. This tactical shift would relegate Raul Rangel to the bench, ironically mirroring Aguirre’s past controversial move—except this time, a promising younger star would sit in favor of the ultimate veteran.

Experience over current form?

Raul Rangel, the talented Chivas goalkeeper, has a relatively brief history with the national team. Entering a tournament as ruthless as the World Cup with limited international experience (13 games with Mexico) presents an undeniable risk, particularly at a position where communication and confidence are paramount.

This is precisely where Ochoa makes his strongest case. The seasoned goalkeeper has historically saved his most iconic performances for the global stage, earning worldwide acclaim for his World Cup heroics far beyond his traditional club career.

While Rangel is an exceptional goalkeeper playing at peak form, Aguirre may ultimately prioritize veteran composure. With El Tri currently lacking a definitive, vocal icon on the pitch, Ochoa is uniquely equipped to step into that leadership role.

Ageless excellence under the crossbar

Guillermo Ochoa is currently 40 years old and will turn 41 on July 13. He hopes to celebrate his birthday with Mexico still alive in the competition, which would mean a historic semifinal run on home soil.

In comparison, Raul Rangel is 26 years old. Ochoa boasts 153 international caps for the Mexican national team. That massive gap in experience is a primary factor that Javier Aguirre will carefully weigh before making his final, definitive selection.

The inclusion of Guillermo Ochoa in the squad for Mexico ahead of the 2026 World Cup marks a major milestone in his career. With this tournament, the goalkeeper will reach his sixth World Cup appearance, joining Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, who will also have competed in six consecutive editions since 2006.

On Saturday, during the friendly matchup against Australia at the Rose Bowl where Mexico won 1-0, Guillermo Ochoa played again for El Tri after a 561-day absence, coming on as a substitute in the second half. His return was closely watched by both the coaching staff and the fans, following a prolonged period without participation in official matches for the squad.

The official 26-man squad list

There are no surprises in Javier Aguirre’s 26-man squad, although Guillermo Ochoa’s inclusion in goal stands out. Among the surprise call-ups are Carlos Acevedo, Obed Vargas, Armando Gonzalez, Alvaro Fidalgo, and young sensation Gilberto Mora, who managed to recover from pubalgia that affected him at the start of 2026.

Goalkeepers:

• Guillermo Ochoa (AEL Limassol), Raul Tala Rangel (Chivas), and Carlos Acevedo (Santos).

Defenders:

• Jorge Sanchez (PAOK), Israel Reyes (America), Cesar Montes (Lokomotiv), Johan Vasquez (Genoa), Edson Alvarez (Fenerbahce), Jesus Gallardo (Toluca), and Mateo Chavez (AZ Alkmaar).

Midfielders:

• Luis Romo (Chivas), Erik Lira (Cruz Azul), Brian Gutierrez (Chivas), Gilberto Mora (Tijuana), Alvaro Fidalgo (Real Betis), Obed Vargas (Atletico de Madrid), Orbelin Pineda (AEK), and Luis Chavez (Dinamo Moscow).

Forwards:

• Alexis Vega (Toluca), Cesar Chino Huerta (Anderlecht), Armando Hormiga Gonzalez (Chivas), Guillermo Memote Martinez (Pumas), Roberto Piojo Alvarado (Chivas), Julian Quinones (Al Qadisiya), Raul Jimenez (Fulham), and Santiago Gimenez (AC Milan).

With these 26 players, Mexico will look to make history in their home World Cup, aiming to reach beyond the famous fifth game. The combination of experience, youth, and international talent will be key for Javier Aguirre and his group to advance as far as possible in the 2026 World Cup.

Mexico’s 2026 World Cup schedule

Mexico will be in charge of getting the ball rolling in the 2026 World Cup. El Tri will inaugurate the World Cup at home by hosting South Africa on June 11, while a week later, they will travel to Guadalajara to face South Korea.

Group stage activity for Mexico will come to an end on Wednesday, June 24, once again in the Mexican capital and this time against Czechia in a matchup that could ultimately define the leadership of Group A.

Mexico controlled possession for most of the match and spent long stretches in Australia’s half, although clear scoring opportunities were limited. Australia remained organized defensively and nearly found an equalizer before halftime when Mohamed Toure missed a golden one-on-one chance.

In the second half, both teams made several substitutions as they continued their preparations for the 2026 World Cup. Australia pushed for a late goal, but Mexico managed the match well and held on to secure the narrow victory in Pasadena.

How to watch Mexico vs Australia in the USA

Fans planning to watch this highly anticipated showdown will have several viewing options available. The game will air live on FOX Deportes, Univision and TUDN, providing full television coverage of the matchup.

Meanwhile, supporters looking to stream the action online will be able to tune in through Fubo, DirecTV Stream and ViX, offering access across a wide range of compatible devices from nearly anywhere.

Can I watch Mexico vs Australia for free?

Soccer fans across the United States can catch this highly anticipated clash live through both Fubo and DirecTV Stream, as each service includes access to the nationwide channel airing the event.

Those hoping to tune in without an upfront payment can also take advantage of the 5-day free trial currently available on Fubo and DirecTV Stream, allowing viewers in the USA to watch the game live for free.

Match Preview: What’s at stake?

As preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup intensify, Australia will use this friendly as an important test ahead of a challenging group featuring the United States, Turkey, and Paraguay.

Mexico, meanwhile, continues to fine-tune its squad for the tournament opener against South Africa and enters the matchup riding the momentum of an impressive victory over Ghana.

With both teams looking to build confidence and evaluate their progress before the World Cup kicks off, this meeting should provide a valuable glimpse into their readiness.

What time is the Mexico vs Australia match?

The match kicks off today, May 30, at 10:00 PM (ET). For viewers in different regions of the United States, here are the local start times:

Eastern Time: 10:00 PM
Central Time: 9:00 PM
Mountain Time: 8:00 PM
Pacific Time: 7:00 PM

El Vasco Aguirre and El Tri will look to string together another victory following their performance against Ghana, where they secured a 2-0 win, but they will do so with a different lineup in order to continue adjusting their ideal eleven for the most prestigious competition in the sporting world.

On the other side, the Socceroos have won their last two friendlies against Curacao and Cameroon, albeit unconvincingly. Before these victories, they had lost three matches in a row to the USA, Venezuela, and Colombia, scoring only one goal. The Aussies need to defeat this level of opposition to stand a chance of reaching the round of 32.

Mexico’s predicted lineup

Mexico’s players will be desperate to impress before Aguirre names his official World Cup squad. Edson Alvarez may come into the lineup for some much-needed game time after shaking off an ankle problem.

Mexico predicted lineup: Guillermo Ochoa; Jorge Sanchez, Johan Vasquez, Jesus Alejandro Gomez, Mateo Chavez; Edson Alvarez, Alvaro Fidalgo, and Luis Chavez; Alexis Vega, Raul Jimenez, and Julian Quinones.

Australia’s probable lineup

Australia will miss key player Riley McGree due to an injury. Meanwhile, manager Popovic is likely to rest the likes of Irankunda and D’Agostino. The former scored twice in their recent victory over Curacao.

Australia expected lineup: Mat Ryan; Lucas Herrington, Alessandro Circati, Kye Rowles, Kai Trewin; Jackson Irvine; Aiden O Neill, Connor Metcalfe; Aziz Behich, Awer Mabil, Ajdin Hrustic.

Speaking to Mexican legend Cuauthemoc Blanco, Aguirre said, “When I saw the calendar, I thought ‘it’s right there for the taking, can’t let it slip away.’ That’s what I’m telling my players. England were champions at home and never again. Playing at home is priceless.”

Now, comparing Mexico, whose best result ever in a World Cup is the quarterfinals stage, to England, the nation were soccer was invented, it’s a huge stretch. Not only that, but Mexico have been the hosts before, and they haven’t won it. Still, for the manager, the confidence is sky-high.

Are Mexico good under Javier Aguirre?

Since getting appointed in 2024, Aguirre has managed 27 games, won 15, eight draws, and four losses. That’s an average of 1.96 points per matches. It’s not that inspiring for the host nation to be quite honest.

Mexico haven’t reached the quarterfinals since 1986, but their roof have been the Round of 16. Since the 82′ World Cup, Mexico always make it out of the Group Stage. Luck haven’t been by their side.

Mexico’s Group Stage calendar for 2026 World Cup

Mexico will play at home during the Group Stage of the 2026 World Cup, including the inaugural game of the tournament. Hence, all eyes will be on them from the get-go:

– June 11: vs. South Africa (Estadio Azteca, Mexico City)
– June 18: vs. South Korea (Estadio Akron, Guadalajara)
– June 24: vs. Czechia (Estadio Azteca, Mexico City)

Amid mounting political and logistical hurdles, the Iranian Football Federation requested a last-minute relocation. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum approved the request, confirming that her administration had no objection to hosting the squad.

While the arrangement is seamless for Mexico, it introduces a grueling logistical puzzle for Iran. Because all of their matches take place across the border, the squad faces an incredibly demanding travel itinerary.

No overnight stays allowed on U.S. soil

FIFA officially approved Iran’s petition to abandon their original training site in Tucson, Arizona, in favor of the Centro Xoloitzcuintle in Tijuana, Baja California. The new base camp places the team directly along the U.S.-Mexico border.

The relocation stems from a strict mandate: the U.S. government has refused to allow the Iranian squad to stay overnight on American territory due to ongoing geopolitical tensions. Consequently, the team will be forced to commute into the United States for their fixtures and immediately return to Mexico after each match.

This mandatory cross-border routine will heavily complicate their schedule. Competing in Group G, Iran are set to play their first two matches at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California—facing New Zealand on June 15 and Belgium on June 21. They will then face a much longer flight north to play Egypt on June 26 in Seattle, before heading straight back to their Tijuana headquarters.

According to statements from Iran Football Federation president Mehdi Taj cited by Associated Press, FIFA has greenlit a plan for Team Melli to establish its base camp in Tijuana, Mexico.

The squad was originally slated to train across the border in Tucson, Arizona, before geopolitical tensions and security concerns led Iran to prefer a major logistical pivot. By utilizing Mexico as a strategic launchpad, Iran plan to finalize their squad preparations before jumping straight into tournament play.

Team Melli is scheduled to kick off its Group G campaign against New Zealand on June 15 and Belgium on June 21—with both marquee matches taking place at SoFi Stadium in the Los Angeles area—before traveling north to face Egypt on June 26 at Seattle’s Lumen Field.

Iran name 30-man provisional World Cup roster

With a final warm-up friendly against Gambia scheduled to take place in Turkiye next week, coaching staff are working fast to narrow down the squad. The team’s provisional 30-man roster has already been submitted, and must be trimmed to a final 26-man list before the tournament opens. Here is the current training squad:

• Goalkeepers: Alireza Beiranvand, Seyed Hossein Hosseini, Mohammad Khalifeh, Payam Niazmand.
• Defenders: Danial Eiri, Ehsan Hajsafi, Saleh Hardani, Hossein Kanaani, Shoja Khalilzadeh, Milad Mohammadi, Ali Nemati, Omid Noorafkan, Ramin Rezaeian.
• Midfielders: Rouzbheh Cheshmi, Saeid Ezatolahi, Mehdi Ghaedi, Saman Ghoddos, Mohammad Ghorbani, Alireza Jahanbakhsh, Mohammad Mohebi, Amir Mohammad Razzaghinia, Mehdi Torabi, Aria Yousefi.
• Forwards: Ali Alipour, Dennis Dargahi, Hadi Habibinejad, Amirhossein Hosseinzadeh, Amirhossein Mahmoudi, Kasra Taheri, Mehdi Taremi.

Setting up operations south of the US border allow Iran to maintain elite-level training standards while neutralizing the off-pitch distractions that threatened their campaign. With modern facilities reportedly secured in Tijuana, the focus inside the Iranian camp can finally shift entirely back to soccer.

The Estadio Cuauhtemoc played host to Mexico in a crucial preparatory duel. El Tri managed to secure a commanding victory over an African side that serves as a perfect tactical benchmark ahead of their World Cup opener against South Africa.

While fans were thrilled by the performance, six players had little reason to celebrate. During the post-game press conference, Javier Aguirre officially announced the first wave of cuts, confirming that the following individuals will leave the camp:

• Oscar Garcia (Leon / Goalkeeper)
• Denzell Garcia (Juarez / Midfielder)
• Luis Gabriel Rey (Puebla / Defender)
• Eduardo Aguila (Atletico San Luis / Defender)
• Isaias Violante (America / Forward)
• Iker Fimbres (Monterrey / Midfielder)

Potential last-minute roster changes spark club conflicts

A few weeks ago, Mexico found themselves in a scheduling conflict with Liga MX clubs over international call-ups. Initially, the national team were expected to proceed without players whose clubs remained active in the domestic playoffs, but the landscape has quickly shifted.

With Pumas and Cruz Azul currently facing off in the Clausura 2026 final, several unlisted Mexican standouts from both squads are making a compelling late-season case for World Cup inclusion. Aguirre has kept a close eye on the final series and appears entirely open to shaking up his selection.

Carlos Rodriguez (Cruz Azul) and Jordan Carrillo (Pumas UNAM) are the primary names generating late buzz. Following their spectacular playoff campaigns, reports suggest that Aguirre is seriously considering whether their current form could provide a vital boost to the World Cup roster.

However, executing these additions could spark a major dispute with Chivas. The Guadalajara-based club willingly cooperative by lending five players to the national team early—sacrificing key talent during their own playoff push. If Rodriguez and Carrillo receive last-minute call-ups after playing through the domestic final, Guadalajara will undoubtedly question why they were forced to compromise their squad so early.

Aguirre now faces a delicate balancing act: avoid political friction with Chivas by leaving Rodriguez and Carrillo out, or prioritize his on-field options by selecting them, inevitably triggering immediate tension between Guadalajara and the Mexican Football Federation.