México and Colombia face off in an international friendly at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland, marking a fresh chapter for both national teams following their campaigns at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The match is scheduled for Saturday, September 26, at 19:00 local CDMX time (20:00 Colombian time), as both federations usher in newly configured coaching staffs and altered squads.
A New Era on the Bench for El Tri
The fixture serves as the official debut of Rafael Márquez as director técnico of the Mexican national team. As reported by Fox Sports Mexico, the five-time World Cup participant takes charge of El Tri following a campaign where the squad reached the tournament quarterfinals before falling 3-2 to England. Márquez assumes leadership of a project alongside a technical staff that includes Juanma Lillo and Andrés Guardado, aiming to reshape the team’s trajectory after a tournament run highlighted by four consecutive group-stage victories over South Africa, South Korea, Czechia, and Ecuador.
Mexico’s roster for this September FIFA window incorporates changes, bringing in fresh talent alongside established names like Santiago Giménez, Hirving Lozano, and Johan Vásquez. The team is looking to reverse a recent head-to-head trend, having dropped their last three encounters against Colombia, including a 4-0 defeat in October 2025.
La Tricolor Resets After World Cup Exit
Colombia arrives in Baltimore under manager Néstor Lorenzo following a quarterfinal exit at the 2026 World Cup, where they were eliminated in a penalty shootout by Switzerland after a scoreless draw. The squad enters this post-World Cup phase without several veterans, most notably James Rodríguez, who announced his definitive international retirement via social media ahead of this international window.
In response to the departures, Lorenzo has injected at least 15 new players and multiple under-23 prospects into the Cafeteros setup. Galatasaray defender Dávinson Sánchez steps in as the new captain to anchor a group that features young talents such as 20-year-old Óscar Perea of América de México and 24-year-old Celtic striker Cámilo Durán. Despite a more conservative attacking output during the World Cup—scoring just three goals across five matches—Colombia maintains a historical edge in recent fixtures against Mexico.
Viewing Details and Broadcast Channels
Fans wishing to follow the action live can access various television and streaming networks depending on their location. In Mexico, the broadcast is available on open television via Canal 5 and Azteca 7, on pay-TV through TUDN, and digitally on ViX and Claro Sports. Viewers in Colombia can watch the match for free via Gol Caracol on Caracol Televisión, listen through Blu Radio frequencies or their YouTube channel, or stream via the Ditu application. Additionally, digital outlets like Goal.com and Fox Sports Mexico provide live minute-by-minute coverage, tracking formations, tactical adjustments, and statistics as the match unfolds.
Keep reading
