Pachuca hosts Mexico U23 in the Copa Pachuca friendly on Friday, October 2, with kickoff at 10:00 PM ET (8:00 PM local time) from Estadio Hidalgo. As of this writing, no U.S. television channel or streaming platform has been announced for the match. The game opens Mexico’s U23 preparations for the LA 2028 Olympics, with Pachuca’s famed academy pipeline facing the country’s Olympic hopefuls.
| Match | Pachuca vs Mexico U23 |
| Date | Friday, October 2, 2026 |
| Kickoff | 10:00 PM ET |
| Competition | International friendly (Copa Pachuca) |
| U.S. TV | TBD |
| U.S. Stream | TBD |
| Venue | Estadio Hidalgo, Pachuca, Mexico |
Where to Watch Pachuca vs Mexico U23
No U.S. broadcaster has announced coverage of this friendly. That includes the usual Spanish-language outlets: TelevisaUnivision’s published weekend programming does not list the match, with its Friday night soccer window committed to a Liga MX Femenil doubleheader, and neither Telemundo nor FOX has it on any published schedule.
Mexican outlet Mediotiempo reported on October 1 that the match has no announced official broadcast channel, noting that the clubs’ and federation’s official social accounts will share highlights. Mexico’s federation confirmed the fixture details in its official announcement.
If a U.S. television or streaming option is announced before kickoff, this article will be updated. For now, supporters in the United States should not expect to find the game on ViX, Peacock, or any U.S. linear channel.
Why This Friendly Matters
This is the starting gun for Mexico’s road to LA 2028. The Copa Pachuca is the first preparation match of the U23 cycle under head coach Eduardo Arce. Mexico sealed its LA 2028 berth by winning the Concacaf U-20 Championship in August under head coach Álex Diego. Pachuca, whose academy has fed the national team pipeline for two decades, is a fitting first measuring stick, and two of its own young players, Gael Álvarez and Giovanny Camacho, were called into the U23 squad and will line up against their club. A second U23 friendly follows on October 5 against Atlante in Mexico City.
For Pachuca, the FIFA window friendly keeps Benjamín Mora’s squad sharp during the break. The Tuzos return to action after an uneven September in Liga MX play, and a home date against the Olympic hopefuls is a useful competitive runout at Estadio Hidalgo.
Recent Form
Form guide below is Liga MX only.
Pachuca: September 26, lost 1-0 at Santos Laguna; September 20, drew 2-2 vs Tijuana (home); September 11, won 3-0 at Atlante; September 4, won 2-0 at FC Juarez; August 29, drew 1-1 vs Guadalajara (home).
Mexico U23 has no league form to report. The Copa Pachuca is the opener of the 2028 Olympic cycle. Mexico sealed its Olympic berth by winning the Concacaf U-20 Championship in August under head coach Álex Diego, and Arce’s U-23 side took silver at the Central American and Caribbean Games in Santo Domingo, falling to Venezuela on penalties in the final.
Team News
Concrete team news is thin this far out, and both sides are expected to rotate heavily. Puebla forward Heriberto Jurado withdrew from the U23 squad through injury and was replaced by Leon’s Jesús Lara. Pachuca’s Gael Álvarez and Giovanny Camacho were called up by Arce and will face their own club on Friday night. No suspensions carry into a friendly.
FAQ
What time does Pachuca vs Mexico U23 start?
10:00 PM ET (8:00 PM local time in Pachuca) on Friday, October 2, 2026.
What channel is Pachuca vs Mexico U23 on in the U.S.?
No U.S. TV channel has been announced for this friendly.
Can I stream Pachuca vs Mexico U23 in the U.S.?
No U.S. streaming option has been confirmed. The clubs and the federation are expected to share highlights on their official social channels.
What is the Copa Pachuca?
A friendly organized as the opening preparation match for Mexico’s U23 national team ahead of the LA 2028 Olympics, played against Liga MX side Pachuca at Estadio Hidalgo.
For the full Liga MX viewing picture beyond this friendly, see our complete Liga MX viewing guide.
