Aiming for Historic Second Straight Win, Hong Myung-bo's Squad Holds Final Training Ahead of Mexico Clash

The South Korean national football team, led by head coach Hong Myung-bo, has begun its final training session ahead of its second group stage match of the 2026 World Cup in North America.

On June 18 (Korea time), a day before their second Group A match against Mexico, the South Korean squad led by Hong worked up a sweat at the Chivas Verde Valle training ground in Zapopan, near Guadalajara, Mexico.

In the training session, of which only the first 15 minutes were opened to the media, all 28 squad members—including Bae Jun-ho (Stoke City) and Kim Tae-hyeon (Kashima), who have recovered from injuries, as well as two training partners—participated without exception and completed the schedule normally.

At the start of the training, the Taegeuk Warriors and the coaching staff gathered in the center of the pitch, conversing seriously as if to strengthen their resolve.

Afterward, they began their full warm-up under the guidance of the physical coach.

The players lightly warmed up their bodies with various coordination drills, including jumping, forward-and-backward running, and zigzag running, while louder and more spirited shouts than usual echoed across the training ground.

South Korea will face Mexico in their second Group A match on June 19.

As South Korea defeated the Czech Republic and Mexico beat South Africa in their respective opening matches to secure three points each and form the top tier of Group A, this clash is expected to practically decide the top spot in the group.

Furthermore, if South Korea defeats Mexico, it will make history by securing two consecutive group stage wins in the World Cup finals for the first time in South Korean football history.

To date, South Korea's only consecutive wins on the World Cup stage came during the 2002 Korea-Japan World Cup, when they defeated Portugal 1-0 in their third group match, followed by a 2-1 extra-time victory over Italy in the Round of 16.


Meanwhile, the Mexican national team, which arrived in Guadalajara on June 17, two days before the match, conducted its final training session at a sports arena in the Zapopan area.

During the training session, with only the first 15 minutes open to reporters, the Mexican squad trained in a warm and friendly atmosphere, with loud laughter heard from the pitch.

The entire squad participated in the training, including 40-year-old veteran goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa (AEL Limassol), Julián Quiñones (Al-Qadsiah), who finished as the top scorer in the Saudi league with 33 goals in the 2025-2026 season, and key striker Raúl Jiménez (Wolverhampton).

During the open session, the players focused on light jogging and ball touches to adjust their physical condition.

The second Group A match of the World Cup in North America between South Korea and Mexico will kick off at Estadio Guadalajara at 10 a.m. on June 19, Korea time.

(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.