Son Heung-min’s choice of tacos, specifically Al Pastor and Arrachera, drew attention as he was swarmed by fans after an Uber ride from South Korea’s training site, a hub of discussion during this World Cup, to downtown Guadalajara. The throngs were indicative of his immense global appeal, even though online suggestions indicated he might have selected a better dining spot.
However, Son and his teammates are in need of improvement, as demonstrated by their 1-0 loss to Mexico in their second Group A match. Approaching his 34th birthday, Son found himself with limited opportunities to score while the Taegeuk Warriors played conservatively, aiming for a draw until a costly mistake by goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu, also a taco enthusiast, handed the co-hosts a goal and a place in the knockout stage. As South Korea prepares to face South Africa in their final group match, a win is essential, while a draw would suffice for advancement, though a loss could lead to the uncertainty of third place and potential elimination.
In the previous match, Son was substituted after less than an hour, having missed key opportunities, while he had been replaced after 69 minutes in the opening game, where South Korea rallied to win 2-1 against Czechia. His central position has not proven effective, sparking debates back home about whether he should return to the left flank, especially considering Oh Hyeon-gyu, who took Son’s place in the opener and scored the winning goal, has been performing well for Besiktas.
The upcoming match against South Africa, who have yet to impress, is critical. If Son can revitalize his performance with support from head coach Hong Myung-bo, the team could secure a place in the knockout stages. Although a draw is adequate in this relatively manageable group, it may not alleviate the prevailing tension surrounding the squad.
Upon arriving in Mexico, Asia’s most successful World Cup team was greeted warmly by locals, yet their recent performances had raised doubts and expectations were tempered. Nevertheless, their initial victory over Czechia showcased their potential, albeit with the caveat that Czechia appears to be the weakest European side in the tournament.
While the opening match was promising, it quickly became overshadowed by other issues. Although Son’s on-field prowess is not what it once was, he remains a focal point off the field. During a training session on June 7, a media member was caught on camera ridiculing Son’s military service history. The Los Angeles FC forward secured an exemption from the mandatory 21-month service by winning gold at the 2018 Asian Games but still underwent basic training in 2020.
In light of the leaked footage, the Korea Football Association expressed its dismay regarding “inappropriate remarks made by some media personnel … the recent leak of inappropriate conversations between some media officials at a training site caused great shock and disappointment to the team” stating that the leaked conversations had greatly shocked and disappointed the team.
For a time, the squad refrained from engaging with domestic media as the military service controversy gained traction in Mexico. The broader population, who typically do not tolerate the wealthy or famous evading their obligations, responded critically. While Son and his fellow players have committed no wrongdoing, public support for allowing sports figures to bypass full service appears to be waning. Even BTS, immensely popular in Mexico—where President Claudia Sheinbaum requested her Korean counterpart Lee Jae Myung to encourage the band to extend their tour—had to take a break for military duty.
In another military-related incident, Mexican forces shot down a drone that was hovering near a South Korean training session ahead of the match against the host nation. This incident contributed to South Korea displaying a lack of offensive enthusiasm reminiscent of their earlier performance against Czechia. As a result, the pressure is mounting.
The implications of the latest result are significant, as Mexico has now advanced. The co-hosts, strong in their lineup, are likely to overpower Czechia, which now has a chance to secure a victory. Should South Korea falter against South Africa, it could spell disaster. Fans, players, and media alike are all hoping for a win to restore confidence and refocus on football, paving the way for a potential entry into the United States and further dining adventures.
- World Cup 2026
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