Mexico, South Korea square off after first-match success
Mexico will try to follow the resounding success of their first home World Cup match in 40 years in Thursday’s match against a South Korea side that represents a far more formidable test than the tournament opener.
Mexico will again be the home side in Zapopan, Mexico, after Julian Quinones and Raul Jimenez scored in the World Cup-opening 2-0 victory over South Africa the Thursday prior in Mexico City.
Another win would make finishing atop the group very likely, setting up a return to the historic and cavernous Azteca Stadium where Mexico played its opener.
“It would be important (to win the group), but right now the only thing we’re thinking about is the match against Korea -- being better than them and trying to win,” Mexico manager Javier Aguirre said post-match. “We’re going to take it step by step and see what the future holds.”
The only blemish was a late red card for center back Cesar Montes, which means he’ll serve a one-match suspension on Thursday.
Mexico are trying to reach their first quarterfinal since hosting the entire tournament in 1986.
More recently, Mexico last reached the knockout phase in 2018, aided by a surprising Korean group stage victory over Germany.
That partly explains why many Mexican fans supported South Korea in its opening win over Czechia in Zapopan, in which Hwang In-beom scored in the 67th minute and provided the service on Oh Hyeon-gyu’s 80th-minute winner.
But manager Hong Myung-bo knows that energy is likely to turn quickly now that his side is opposing El Tri.
Local authorities already had to intercept a drone attempting to spy on a Korean training session this week. And Hong also experienced the fervor of his own nation’s fans when they helped propel his South Korea side to a 2002 semifinal finish, which remains the country’s best World Cup showing.
“I’d like to thank all of the Mexican fans who cheered for us,” Hong said. “We fully understand that it’s going to be a match with a home team and we know that’s going to give benefits to the home team. But my players have experienced such matches before.”
Group A, Czechia (0 points) vs. South Africa (0 points) in Atlanta: This could be a must-win for both sides if they want to advance. Czechia let an early second-half lead slip in their tournament-opening 2-1 loss to South Korea, while South Africa looked like nerves got the better of them in the defeat at The Azteca.
Group B, Switzerland (1 point) vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina (1 point) in Inglewood, Calif.: The Swiss were punished for their wastefulness in conceding a stoppage-time equalizer in their opener, a 1-1 draw against Qatar. Bosnia became the first team to take a point off the co-host nations in their 1-1 tie against Canada.
Group B, Canada (1 point) vs. Qatar (1 point) in Vancouver, B.C.: Alphonso Davies (hamstring) is available for Canada and could play depending on how the match goes, and Moise Bombito could return to the back line after he was an injury scratch in Toronto. Meanwhile, Qatar has surprising life after Boualem Khoukhi’s stoppage-time leveler against the Swiss.
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This story was originally published June 17, 2026 at 8:32 PM.