The Mexican National Team officially begins its calendar for the year with a friendly match that promises to be more important than it seems. The team coached by Javier “Vasco” Aguirre will visit Panama this Thursday, January 22, 2026 at the Rommel Fernández Gutiérrez Stadium in Panama City, in a match that will serve as the first “thermometer” towards the 2026 World Cup.
Although this is a friendly, the context makes it special: it does not correspond to a FIFA Date, so the Mexican National Team will not have players who play in Europe and the call-up list is mainly made up of Liga MX players. This opens the door to names looking to earn a place in the final World Cup roster.
A match to evaluate and adjust “automatisms”.
For Aguirre and his coaching staff, these types of matches are pure gold.
They not only allow to observe players in a real match, but also to evaluate how they respond to conditions that have a strong influence on selections:
Long trips, humidity, pressure of playing away from home and a regional rivalry that Panama usually plays with intensity.
The objective is clear: to detect who can compete at the highest level when the stage becomes uncomfortable, something that will be vital in 2026.
Gilberto Mora’s departure changes the plan
Prior to the match, the Mexican National Team suffered an important loss:
Gilberto Mora, a midfielder who left the training camp due to physical problems detected during the medical examination.
His absence forces a readjustment of the midfield and also opens opportunities for other players looking for minutes and prominence.
Panama, a rival that demands full attention
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The Mexican National Team will not face a sparring partner.
Panama has established itself as a competitive team in CONCACAF, with physical duels, high pressure and a home advantage that usually weighs heavily at the Rommel Fernandez stadium.
This friendly will be an opportunity for El Tri to take on an uncomfortable opponent and test the real depth of its squad.
For Hispanic fans in the United States, this game is also key because it allows them to see new names and understand how wide the Mexican National Team’s squad is in the lead up to the World Cup at home.
Even though it's a friendly match, the context makes it special
QuéOnnda.com
What time is it and where to watch Panama vs Mexico?
The match is scheduled for 8:00 PM ET.
In Mexico, it will be broadcast on Canal 5, Azteca 7 and TUDN, with streaming options available on some platforms.
With this first match of 2026, the Mexican National Team enters a decisive stage:
Every game counts, every call matters and every player has something at stake.
Because when the World Cup is played at home… there is no room for improvisation.
For more information, visit QuéOnnda.com.
