Why are Mexico playing against Valencia CF in the October international break?

The CONCACAF Nations League returns this week with more group stage fixtures from across North America, Central America and the Caribbean.

The top four seeds in the confederation - Panama, Canada, Mexico and the United States - don’t join until the quarter-final stage begins next month. That gives those nations a free fortnight in which to organise friendly matches.

Mexico have taken the unusual step of arranging a game against a club team, Valencia CF of LaLiga. The Spanish side have got off to a tricky start in their domestic campaign, winning just one of their opening nine league fixtures under head coach Rubén Baraja.

Valencia will travel to the Cuauhtémoc Stadium in Puebla, Mexico for the one-off game. A statement on the club website describes the fixture as an opportunity to “get closer to fans on the other side of the Atlantic,” citing Mexico as part of the club’s “international expansion project.”

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The game also offers an opportunity to pay tribute to a Mexican icon with close links to Valencia. Andrés Guardado annnounced his retirement from the Mexican national team last year, calling time on an 18-year career with El Tri. However the 38-year-old, now playing for Club León, was a surprise inclusion in the Mexico team for the October friendlies.

He is the 27th player in the squad so may not see any time on the field, but he will come up against former team Valencia. Guardado spent three years with Valencia after his five-year spell at Deportivo La Coruña. After finding success with Depor he struggled for form in Valencia but could end his illustrious international career against Los Ches.