MEXICO CITY, Oct. 13 (Xinhua) -- Mexico manager Javier Aguirre said he expects Tuesday's home friendly against Ecuador to provide a stern test as his team ratchets up preparations for next year's FIFA World Cup.

Ecuador finished second in the 10-team South American qualifying group after a campaign that included eight wins and just two defeats.

"Ecuador had a spectacular qualifying campaign," Aguirre told reporters on Monday. "It is a team that is very difficult to hurt. They will put us to the test and push us to the limit."

The clash at Akron stadium, near Guadalajara, follows Mexico's 4-0 friendly defeat to Colombia in Arlington, Texas, on Saturday. Ecuador, meanwhile, drew 1-1 with the United States in Austin, Texas, on Friday.

Aguirre urged his players to take Tuesday's match seriously, stressing that it would be a friendly in name only.

"I take full responsibility for my decisions," Aguirre said. "But they know that if they don't have what it takes to be here and if they can't handle the pressure, then maybe they're not cut out for this."

Mexico qualified directly for the 2026 World Cup as tournament co-hosts alongside the United States and Canada. ■