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Mexico to play Croatia, Ireland in tuneups for World Cup qualifying

The Mexico national team will warm up for a packed summer schedule with friendlies against Croatia in Los Angeles on May 27 and the Republic of Ireland in New Jersey on June 1.

The games -- in L.A. Memorial Coliseum and MetLife Stadium -- will help prepare Juan Carlos Osorio's team for World Cup qualifiers against Honduras on June 6 and the United States on June 10 in Mexico City.

The official FIFA international calendar runs from June 5-13, although some or all of Mexico's Europe-based players may have already finished their seasons by then and could be available.

The Liga MX 2017 Clausura final second leg is May 28, meaning Mexico internationals involved are likely to miss out on the national team friendlies.

Croatia is one place ahead of Mexico in 16th in the FIFA rankings, while Ireland is 25th. El Tri has won twice and lost twice in its four matches against Croatia and has never tasted defeat against Ireland over five games.

The friendlies will be the last for Osorio's side before a run of competitive matches, with the World Cup qualifiers followed swiftly by the Confederations Cup in Russia and then the Gold Cup in the United States.

Tickets for the matches go on sale on March 6.