Mexico vs Internacional: Broadcast Guide and What's at Stake in the Friendly Match

Mexico Turns to Youth in Porto Alegre Friendly

Nothing stirs debate quite like a national team mixing things up, and this week, all eyes are on Mexico as they open their 2025 with a friendly against Internacional de Porto Alegre. It’s not just another warm-up—this match signals a clear focus on youth and homegrown talent, with Mexico’s entire squad drawn from Liga MX. Coach Jaime Lozano’s move makes sense: with co-hosting duties looming for the 2026 World Cup, El Tri needs to widen their pool of reliable players, fast.

The match is set for Thursday, January 16, kicking off at 7 p.m. ET. They’re playing at Internacional’s famed Arena Beira-Rio in Porto Alegre, Brazil—a stadium dripping with history for the locals, especially after their 2010 Copa Libertadores win right on that same pitch. It’s not a neutral venue and that’s exactly the point; Mexico’s youngsters will get a real taste of what it means to play under pressure, away from the comfort zones of home crowds and familiar pitches. For any fan who cares about seeing Mexico’s next generation take shape, this isn’t a throwaway fixture.

Internacional isn’t sending out their reserves either. The club finished fifth in last season’s Brasileirão, enough to book them a seat at South America’s main club tournament, the Copa Libertadores. Facing them, especially in their own backyard, promises a serious examination for Mexico’s fledgling stars—many of whom have rarely, if ever, faced the intensity of Brazilian club football on the road.

Where And How to Watch the Friendly

Broadcast options are easy to navigate, no matter which side of the border you’re on. For viewers in the United States, Univision and TUDN will have the live coverage, while Fox Deportes jumps in for Spanish-language sports fans. For streaming, just fire up ViX Premium or FuboTV, both offering convenient online access. If you’re following from Mexico, you can tune in on TV Azteca, Canal 5, or TUDN. With all these options, nobody has an excuse to miss what could be a pivotal night for Mexican soccer.

This fixture isn’t a one-off experiment either. After they’ve tested themselves against Inter, the Mexican squad heads straight into another challenge: a clash against Argentina’s River Plate, another continental powerhouse. The logic behind picking these opponents is pretty clear—push the young players into back-to-back matches on South American soil and see who swims or sinks under genuine pressure.

Of course, not everyone is thrilled about testing the waters this way. Critics argue that friendlies against clubs don’t match the intensity or strategic lessons that come from playing other national teams. But for the coaching staff, the payoff is crystal clear. Playing against clubs with Libertadores pedigree, especially in hostile stadiums, could answer questions about who can handle high-stakes moments long before World Cup qualifiers begin.

As far as selection goes, this camp is all about seeing which domestic players can force their way into future national team squads. For some, it might be the start of an international career in earnest; for others, a rare chance to make the leap amid fierce competition. Every minute on the pitch is a test—of skills, resilience, and readiness for bigger challenges just around the corner.