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HOME > SAMURAI BLUE > NEWS > 【Scouting Report】A CONCACAF Powerhouse on the Rise Under a Former SAMURAI BLUE Boss (International Friendly Match) – Mexico National Team

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【Scouting Report】A CONCACAF Powerhouse on the Rise Under a Former SAMURAI BLUE Boss (International Friendly Match) – Mexico National Team

01 September 2025

【Scouting Report】A CONCACAF Powerhouse on the Rise Under a Former SAMURAI BLUE Boss (International Friendly Match) – Mexico National Team

Having concluded their AFC Asian Qualifiers in June, SAMURAI BLUE (Japan National Team) are now set to fully shift gears in preparation for the FIFA World Cup 26™, which will be jointly hosted next year by the United States, Canada and Mexico. As part of their preparations, the team will tour the United States, playing a pair of friendly matches against two of the host nations: Mexico in Oakland on 6 September (Japan time: 7 September) and the USA in Columbus on 9 September (Japan time: 10 September).

Japan have struggled against Mexico in recent years, having lost four of their recent encounters and holding an overall record of one win and four defeats. The most recent meeting took place in November 2020 during a European tour, when SAMURAI BLUE fell 0–2 in a friendly held in Graz, Austria. Following that match, Head Coach MORIYASU Hajime reflected: “Mexico had the upper hand in terms of resilience in decisive moments.”

A dominant force in CONCACAF with 17 World Cup appearances, Mexico have recently regained momentum. Despite a disappointing group-stage exit at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™, they bounced back by claiming their first-ever CONCACAF Nations League title in March this year. They then went on to retain their crown at the CONCACAF Gold Cup, held between June and July.

At the helm of this rejuvenated side is Javier AGUIRRE, who managed the SAMURAI BLUE for a brief period starting in July 2014. Appointed to lead Mexico for a third time in July last year, he is now supported by Rafael MARQUEZ—a Mexican football legend with five World Cup appearances—who serves as assistant coach.

Among Mexico’s many talented players, one to watch is 34-year-old striker Raul JIMENEZ (Fulham FC, England), who scored numerous goals across the aforementioned CONCACAF tournaments. A seasoned forward with both physical strength and sharp movement, he remains a constant threat up front. In midfield, Edson ALVAREZ (Fenerbahce, Turkey)—named Best Player of the Gold Cup—exerts control and composure. At the back, Cesar MONTES (Lokomotiv Moscow, Russia), who played a key role in Mexico’s bronze-medal-winning Tokyo Olympics campaign, brings solidity to the defence. Meanwhile, Luis MALAGON (Club America), who earned the Best Goalkeeper award at the Gold Cup, has taken over the number one spot from long-time stalwart Guillermo OCHOA and now anchors the team from the back.

Reflecting on their meeting five years ago, then-captain YOSHIDA Maya noted: “They were excellent at keeping possession, and their game management after taking the lead was of a very high standard.” Facing such a tactically astute side, it will be intriguing to see how the SAMURAI BLUE respond. Although the match will be played at a neutral venue, a heavily pro-Mexico crowd is expected—creating a true “away” atmosphere. Allowing Mexico an early lead could prove costly, and Japan will need to be at their sharpest from the outset.

Results of last 5 matches
*All matches were played in the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup in the USA
(H: Home, A: Away, N: Neutral ground, ○: Win, △: Draw, ●: Loss)

18 June 2025 ○2-0 Suriname Group stage
22 June 2025 △0-0 Costa Rica Group stage
28 June 2025 ○2-0 Saudi Arabia*  Quarterfinals
2 July 2025 ○1-0 Honduras Semi-finals
6 July 2025 ○2-1 USA Final

*Invited guest

Record against Japan

1 win 4 losses (9 goals, 5 against)

29 May 1996 ●2-3 Kirin Cup Soccer'96
5 February 2000 ○1-0 Carlsberg Cup
16 June 2005 ○2-1 FIFA Confederations Cup Germany 2005™
22 June 2013 ○2-1 FIFA Confederations Cup Brazil 2013™
17 November 2020 ○2-0 International Friendly Match

Results at the FIFA World Cup™

Appearances: 17

1930 Group stage
1934 Eliminated in the qualifier
1938 Did not participate
1950 Group stage (1st Round)
1954 Group stage
1958 Group stage
1962 Group stage
1966 Group stage
1970 Quarterfinals
1974 Eliminated in the qualifier
1978 Group stage (1st Round)
1982 Eliminated in the qualifier
1986 Quarterfinals
1990 Did not participate
1994 Round of 16
1998 Round of 16
2002 Round of 16
2006 Round of 16
2010 Round of 16
2014 Round of 16
2018 Round of 16
2022 Group stage

Association Mexican Football Association
FIFA Confederation Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF)
President Yon de Luisa
Data on the opposing country

◇FIFA Rankings (as of 3 April 2025): 17th
◇Record against Japan: 1 win 4 losses (9 goals, 5 against)

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