Without the need to participate in World Cup Qualifying, there have been lingering concerns that the trio of World Cup host nations, the United States, Mexico, and Canada, would struggle to be fully prepared for the 2026 tournament. The friendlies scheduled for both October and November have gone a long way toward easing those concerns, with all three nations set to face high-quality competition.
Mexico Looks for Goals Against Colombia and Ecuador
Two of the most exciting games this international window are Mexico’s clashes with Colombia and Ecuador. On October 11th in Dallas at AT&T Stadium (home of the Dallas Cowboys), Mexico hosts Colombia in a meeting of two of the largest international fanbases in the United States. Three days later, El Tri host CONMEBOL standouts Ecuador—who finished second in World Cup qualifying—at home in Mexico.
Colombia found form late in CONMEBOL qualifying, finishing third after a 3–0 win against Bolivia and a massive 6–3 victory away to Venezuela. The team still hasn’t decided on a permanent starting goalkeeper, though Cruz Azul’s Kevin Mier currently leads the race. Daniel Muñoz has helped Crystal Palace start strong this season, while Fluminense’s Kevin Serna and Girona’s 21-year-old Yaser Asprilla add energy in midfield. Luis Díaz is in top form for Bayern Munich, and Cucho Hernández of Real Betis joins him in attack. All eyes will be on Luis Suárez, who scored four against Venezuela and has five goals in seven games for Sporting CP. With Díaz and Suárez, Colombia boasts two of the world’s most in-form attackers—potentially in the same lineup.
Mexico, meanwhile, continues to struggle for goals and a consistent attack. El Tri haven’t lost since June, when they conceded four to Switzerland in Salt Lake City, but they haven’t scored more than two goals in a match across their last seven fixtures—including a scoreless draw against Japan in Oakland last month.
Chucky Lozano Returns
San Diego FC’s Hirving “Chucky” Lozano returns, while AC Milan’s Santiago Giménez has six goals in 44 caps but is yet to find consistent form for the national team. Monterrey’s Germán Berterame has excelled in Liga MX and is finally getting consistent call-ups, though manager Javier Aguirre prefers him on the wing. Mexico’s brightest prospect, Gilberto Mora, turns 17 this month and continues to shine at the Under-20 World Cup. Mora—who already impressed with the senior team at the Gold Cup—is attracting attention from Real Madrid and Barcelona and is expected to leave Tijuana’s Xolos when eligible.
Against two quality opponents, especially Ecuador’s organized defense, an attacking hero must emerge for El Tri—or their 2026 World Cup campaign could be cut short due to a lack of goals up front.
Canada in a Commonwealth Battle with Australia
After a successful September window in Europe—where they beat Romania and Wales—Canada hosts Commonwealth rivals Australia in Montreal before taking on Colombia in New Jersey. That match will likely be filled with Colombian fans in bright yellow. The clash begins Canada’s run of three straight South American opponents to close the year, with Ecuador and Venezuela scheduled for November.
Facing a World Cup-qualified Australia side that hasn’t lost in 2025 won’t be easy. Thirty-three-year-old goalkeeper Mathew Ryan (Levante) returns to the squad, joined by Hibernian’s Martin Boyle, Feyenoord’s 22-year-old Jordan Bos, and 19-year-old Nestory Irankunda from Watford.
Canada’s attack is led by Juventus striker Jonathan David. Promise David (no relation), age 24 from Union SG in Belgium, joins him, as does Vancouver Whitecaps product Jayden Nelson. In midfield, 21-year-old Nathan Saliba of Anderlecht joins experienced options Tajon Buchanan (Villarreal) and Jacob Shaffelburg (Nashville SC). Rangers’ Derek Cornelius anchors the back line. A win over Colombia would be a significant result for Jesse Marsch’s squad at a familiar venue.
Pochettino’s Team USA Aims for Ecuador Upset
Mauricio Pochettino’s Team USA has endured a rough stretch. From March through June, they lost four straight matches, including a 4–0 defeat to Switzerland in Nashville that exposed their gap with Europe’s better sides. A Gold Cup final loss in Houston to rivals Mexico followed, and although the September window brought a 2–0 defeat to South Korea, they rebounded to beat Japan in Ohio.
The U.S. has done well to schedule credible opposition, but winning those matches has been the challenge. Pochettino’s squad faces Ecuador in Austin, Texas, followed by Australia in Colorado four days later. Christian Pulisic, who skipped the Gold Cup, returns alongside a nearly full-strength roster.
The Best Version of Team USA?
Questions remain in goal: Matt Turner, now back in MLS, leads with 52 caps, while 38-year-old Tim Ream (Charlotte FC) is still in the backline and on-track for 2026 despite his age. Promising midfielder Diego Luna (Real Salt Lake) seeks a breakthrough alongside Juventus star Weston McKennie.
In attack, Alejandro Zendejas has been outstanding for Club América, and Timothy Weah is thriving with Marseille in both Ligue 1 and the Champions League. Ecuador, however, presents a massive test. Pulisic’s AC Milan teammate Pervis Estupiñán and PSG’s Willian Pacho anchor a defense that conceded just five goals in qualifying—the best record in South America by a wide margin (Paraguay and Argentina conceded 10).
Midfield prodigy Kendry Páez, 18, on loan from Chelsea to Blue Co’s Strasbourg, already has 20 caps, and 17-year-old Darwin Guagua headlines a trio of Independiente del Valle players called up as the club reaches the Copa Sudamericana semifinals. Up front, captain Enner Valencia (Pachuca) remains the leader, though no other forward has scored more goals than defender Félix Torres (five).
Underdogs against Ecuador but likely favorites versus Australia, Team USA will hope to finish October undefeated.
Bolivia Begins World Cup Playoff Preparation
Bolivia’s quest to reach their first World Cup since 1994 includes five friendlies before March 2026. This October, they face World Cup debutants Jordan—AFC Asian Cup finalists in 2023, who feature Rennes winger Musa Al-Taamari—followed by a trip to Moscow to meet Russia. Despite their UEFA ban, Russia continues to play regularly in international friendlies and with their domestic league. They last reached the 2018 World Cup quarterfinals as hosts.
In November, Bolivia meets World Cup-qualified Japan and South Korea. All four matches are outside South America and away from high altitude, as Bolivia aims to improve its performance when not playing in thin air, ahead of the intercontinental playoffs in Mexico next March.
South American Nations Begin International Roadshow
With CONMEBOL qualifying complete, South America’s biggest teams are taking their talents on tour. Carlo Ancelotti’s Brazil travels to Asia to face South Korea and Japan, while an improved Paraguay follows the same schedule, but reversed. Uruguay meets newly World Cup qualified Uzbekistan in Malaysia. Argentina, meanwhile, has the weakest fixture list, playing a disappointed Venezuela in Miami and minnows Puerto Rico in Chicago. These matches may provide a stage for Real Madrid wonderkid Franco Mastantuono to further integrate into this Argentina squad.
Main Photo Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
