Pumas vs Querétaro arrives in Jornada 4 of the Apertura 2026 with both clubs still waiting for official lineups, but the preliminary team sheets already give a clear idea of how the match at Estadio Olímpico Universitario could look on August 16, 2026.
This is a pre-match lineup preview, not a confirmed announcement, so the focus is on the possible starters and the projected shapes for each side. In that sense, the most useful part of the buildup is how the two teams may line up if the expected selections hold.
Pumas' possible XI
Pumas are projected to use a 4-2-3-1, with Keylor Navas in goal. The rest of the possible lineup includes Rodrigo López, Rubén Duarte, Nathan Silva and Álvaro Angulo in the defensive line, followed by Víctor Arteaga and Pedro Vite in midfield. Ahead of them, Uriel Antuna, Adalberto Carrasquilla and Alan Medina are listed as the supporting attackers, with Robert Morales expected to lead the line.
That shape would give Pumas a familiar balance: a back four, two midfield anchors and enough attacking support to connect the play behind Morales. The presence of Keylor Navas also stands out, since the goalkeeper remains one of the most recognizable names in the projected XI.
Querétaro's possible XI
Querétaro FC are expected to line up in a 4-4-2, with Guillermo Allison in goal. The projected back line features Bayron Duarte, Diego Reyes, Lucas Abascia and Daniel Parra. In midfield, Enzo Giménez, Santiago Homenchenko, Carlo García and Paulo Victor are listed, while Pérez Reyes and Ali Avila are projected as the forward pair.
A 4-4-2 would give Querétaro a compact setup and a straightforward attacking structure. With two strikers up top, the plan appears geared toward direct pressure and quicker transitions rather than a crowded attacking midfield.
What to watch before kickoff
Because these are only possible XIs, the biggest takeaway is not certainty but structure. Pumas and Querétaro both have players in doubt or absent, although the available information does not spell out every situation. That means the official lineups could still change before kickoff.
Even so, the projected formations help set the stage for the match. Pumas vs Querétaro should offer a clear contrast between a 4-2-3-1 and a 4-4-2, with both teams trying to manage the early rhythm of the Apertura 2026 season while preparing for Jornada 4 at Estadio Olímpico Universitario.
