Ghana will continue their preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup with an international friendly against Mexico in May, as both nations intensify their plans ahead of this year’s tournament.
The match is scheduled for Friday, May 22, 2026, at a venue in Mexico yet to be confirmed. It forms part of an increasingly busy preparatory programme for the Black Stars, who are fine-tuning their squad ahead of the global showpiece being co-hosted by Mexico, Canada and the United States.
Head coach Otto Addo is expected to use the fixture to assess a blend of locally-based players and those plying their trade in European leagues who remain under close observation. The technical team may also integrate some Under-23 players who are simultaneously preparing for Olympic Games qualifiers, as they evaluate squad depth ahead of the tournament.
The Mexico clash represents Ghana’s third confirmed warm-up fixture, following previously announced friendlies against Austria and Germany during the March international window. Addo and his backroom staff are expected to name their squad for those European encounters in the coming days.
Following the Mexico fixture, Ghana will face two additional unnamed opponents before the World Cup gets underway. The Black Stars will open their Group L campaign against Panama on June 17, before meeting England and Croatia in subsequent group matches.
Mexico’s own preparations
For Mexico, the friendly against Ghana is part of an ambitious warm-up schedule. The North American side will begin their World Cup campaign against South Africa in the tournament’s opening match on June 11 at the iconic Azteca Stadium in Mexico City.
The Mexican Football Federation confirmed Ghana forms part of a trio of high-profile preparatory matches. Following the encounter with the Black Stars on May 22, Mexico will face Australia eight days later at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, before returning home to play Serbia on June 4.
“These are the ideal opponents to help prepare the national team for the World Cup,” said Ivar Sisniega, president of the Mexican Football Federation.
Prior to those fixtures, Mexico will host Iceland on February 25 in Querétaro and Portugal in Mexico City on March 28, before travelling to Chicago to face Belgium on March 31.
Azteca Stadium ready
The friendly against Portugal will also mark the reopening of the Azteca Stadium, which has been closed since May 2024 for renovations. Addressing concerns about the venue’s readiness, Sisniega moved to allay fears.
“We’ve been told that the stadium will be ready, that the pitch will be in good condition, and that the stands and the spaces for the match will be ready. There is no Plan B; we will play on March 28 as scheduled, and there is no other scenario being considered.”
With both nations finalising their World Cup preparations, the May friendly promises to provide a stern examination for the Black Stars as the countdown to football’s biggest tournament gathers momentum.
