The Copa America will be Mexico’s best preparation for the 2026 World Cup as they will face world-class teams, coach Jaime Lozano said on Friday ahead of their first match against Jamaica.
This year’s tournament brings together 10 South American teams and six invited nations from the North and Central America and the Caribbean Confederation (CONCACAF) in the second Copa hosted by the United States.
Mexico will not play in the CONCACAF 2026 World Cup qualifiers as they will host the global tournament with the U.S. and Canada.
“We’re looking to face the best opponents in this process, and that’s what I like the most,” Lozano told a news conference ahead of their Saturday opener in Houston.
“You learn a lot more and you test yourself against the best, you see where you stand and what you have to improve.
“A Copa America is a step down from a World Cup because of the kind of teams we are playing against, who have been world champions many times. We have the best of each Confederation, we are not here to participate, we want to win with good games.”
Mexico also face Ecuador and Venezuela in Group B.