Mexico and Portugal are hoping to make a mark at the World Cup this summer. But first, they are going to test their mettle against each other on American soil.
Both countries announced friendlies in the United States in June, including a meeting of the two nations June 6 at Gilette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. With Portugal set to face the US national team in group play in Brazil, the tune-up will give both teams a chance to face off against World Cup-caliber competition.
Mexico will play two more World Cup entrants: Ecuador on May 31 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas; and June 3 at Chicago's Soldier Field against Bosnia and Herzegovina, their final preparations for the tournament.
Meanwhile, Portugal will play Ireland at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., on June 10 in their final game before heading to Brazil.
Portugal are currently ranked by FIFA as the fourth-best national team in the world and are led by recent FIFA Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid. Mexico were ranked 21st in the latest FIFA rankings, while the US moved up to 13th.
Playing in Group G at the World Cup, the Portuguese will face Germany on June 16 before taking on the Americans on June 22 in Manaus. Mexico are in Group A and will open play against Cameroon on June 13 before taking on hosts Brazil on June 17.
Following a difficult qualification process, Mexico are facing a number of World Cup squads in the coming months, including the USMNT in an April 2 friendly in Glendale, Ariz. El Tri also have a friendly next month against Nigeria in Atlanta on tap.
