MEXICO
Why are Mexico playing the USMNT outside the FIFA match calendar?
El Tri are set to be involved a large number of both competitive and friendly matches in the United States in the coming years.
There may well be a ‘hidden’ reason why the USMNT and Mexico are playing a friendly match outwith FIFA’s official international match calendar. CONCACAF’s biggest nations will face off at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Wednesday but both will be missing a whole host of key men, while the players on El Tri’s roster come almost exclusively from Liga MX clubs, who are entering a crucial moment of their domestic seasons.
According to Fox Sports journalist Fernando Cevallos, the United States Soccer Federation have agreed to play the game under one condition: that they will keep all proceeds from the fixture. It is thought that the reason is because the FMF (Mexican Soccer Federation) are very keen to play several friendly games against their northern neighbours in the United States since neither will have any 2026 World Cup qualifiers (both qualify automatically as hosts).
The United States a second home for El Tri
The FMF has a contract with New York-based Soccer United Marketing until 2028, which ties them into playing number of matches in the United States in an effort to promote the national team there. As a result, and because they don’t have to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, El Tri are now hoping to play most of their warm-up games ahead of the tournament on the American side of the border.
In addition, Diego Cocca’s side will also take part in the 2023 Gold Cup, the 2023 CONCACAF Nations League final four and the 2024 Copa América, all of which will be held in the States.