As the sun sets over Guadalajara, Mexico, two teams clad in striking anthem jackets make their entrance onto the pitch. South Korea sports a vibrant floral design from Nike, while Mexico showcases a classic Adidas piece, distinguished by its prominent foldover collar.
This evening, both squads have opted for alternate kits. While I typically find such decisions disappointing, tonight’s all-black attire worn by Mexico is a refreshing sight.
On the other hand, South Korea’s lavender uniform, dubbed Space Purple, might raise eyebrows at first glance, but a closer look reveals intricate details and an elegantly crafted logo.
The weather in Zapopan is pleasant, with temperatures hovering in the mid-20s and the sun shining brightly, although rain is anticipated, posing a potential disruption to the match. However, the most notable environmental factor here is the altitude.
Estadio Akron, located at about 1,670 meters (5,480 feet) above sea level, stands out. For comparison, the Hawthorns, home to West Bromwich Albion, is the highest stadium in English football, at just 168 meters (551 feet).
Following their initial match at this venue, South Korea has adapted to the altitude during a warm-up period in Utah.
In South Korea’s first game, midfielder Hwang In-beom proved to be a crucial player. He displayed technical prowess, remained active, sought the ball in congested areas near the box, and delivered incisive passes that are vital to dismantling well-organized defenses—much like the roles played by Xavi and Iniesta in their prime.
This match is the second at my favorite venue of the tournament: Estadio Guadalajara.
With a seating capacity of 45,000, it ranks as the second smallest stadium in the World Cup, yet it compensates for its size with remarkable character.
The stadium’s architecture draws inspiration from a volcano, featuring a sloping park that ascends to the upper levels. Its white roof mimics a cloud hovering above the peak, while the seating arrangement resembles a red crater.
Outside of the World Cup context, it is commonly referred to as Estadio Akron, located in Zapopan, part of the Guadalajara Metropolitan Area in Jalisco. This venue is the home ground for Liga MX team Chivas De Guadalajara.
Tonight’s match will be officiated by a crew from Uruguay, headed by referee Gustavo Tejera.
Returning to Jonathan Wilson, who has analyzed the rising fortunes of Asian teams in the World Cup, South Korea could significantly enhance that narrative with a victory in Guadalajara.
The tone was set on day one with South Korea’s victory over the Czech Republic. It perhaps shouldn’t have come as a surprise to anybody who saw their qualifying playoff semi-final against Ireland that the Czechs would be so ponderous and lumbering, a side that understood the value of dead balls and long throws and little else. But still, the ease with which South Korea passed their way around them was striking. If Son Heung-min had been the player he was three or four years ago, the Korean victory would have been far more emphatic.
Protests against World Cup sponsor Hyundai are expected prior to the match, according to reports.
Hyundai will be targeted by protesters at a rally before the Group A game between Mexico and South Korea in Guadalajara on Thursday, due to the World Cup sponsor’s business dealings with the South American mining company Ternium. A rally will take place at the Plaza de La Liberación in Guadalajara, to highlight the fate of Mexico’s so-called 130,000 disappeared, some of whom worked in the mining industry.
In a recent development, Mexican military forces intercepted and neutralized a drone that approached the South Korean team’s training camp as they prepared for their World Cup match against the co-hosts. Military personnel employed specialized equipment to detect an “During our training, there was a drone in the sky,” near the camp, which prompted them to take action, a Mexican federal agent stated. It remains uncertain whether the drone aimed to surveil the South Korean team. Coach Hong Myung-bo remarked:
“But fortunately, it was right before we practised our tactics, so it did not impact us. But while we were preparing for the match, that was the most important timing, so what happened was unfortunate.” he said. “¡Coreano, hermano, ya eres mexicano!”
Hong Myung-bo implemented just one adjustment, with Kim Moon-hwan stepping in for Lee Tae-seok at left wingback.
South Korea’s lineup (3-4-3 formation): 1 Kim Seung-gyu, 3 Lee Gi-hyuk, 4 Kim Min-jae, 2 Lee Han-beom, 22 Seol Young-woo, 6 Hwang In-beom, 8 Paik Seung-ho, 15 Kim Moon-hwan, 19 Lee Kang-in, 10 Lee Jae-sung, 7 Son Heung-min.
Javier Aguirre was compelled to make one alteration following the red card issued to Cesar Montes against South Africa. Edson Alvarez replaces Montes in central defense. Aguirre has also modified the right-back position, introducing Israel Reyes for Jorge Sanchez, and adjusted his midfield by swapping Alvarao Fidalgo with Luis Romo.
Mexico’s lineup (4-1-2-3 formation): 1 Rangel; 2 Sanchez, 4 Alvarez, 5 Vasquez, 23 Gallardo; 6 Lira; 26 Gutierrez, 7 Romo Fidalgo; 25 Alvarado, 9 Jimenez, 16 Quinones.
Now, let’s turn our attention to the crucial match in Group A, with insights provided by Jonathan Wilson from Mexico City.
Fans of the two countries have shared a warm relationship since the 2018 World Cup, when South Korea’s unexpected 2-0 triumph over Germany in their final group game secured Mexico a spot in the last 16. Amid the celebrations in Mexico City, South Korea’s ambassador was carried shoulder-high along the street in front of the embassy as local fans chanted, “Korean, brother, you are Mexican now!” – “Jorge is going through a health situation,” The chant has been revived in Guadalajara, where South Korea triumphed over Czechia 2-1 in their first group game. When a group of Korean fans attended a wrestling match, the arena DJ played Gangnam Style to welcome them. Mexican social media has been flooded with videos of Guadalajarans and Koreans performing PSY’s horse dance together.
Canada has made considerable strides toward the knockout stage with their historic first World Cup victory against a struggling nine-man Qatar. However, this celebratory moment was overshadowed by a serious injury to Ismael Kone.
Lionel Messi opened the World Cup with a remarkable hat-trick, yet concerns regarding his father’s health are casting a shadow over his participation.
Lionel Messi’s father is undergoing medical treatment for an undisclosed illness, and his family has requested the media for “He is currently under medical observation, recovering and progressing favourably within his current condition,” on Thursday amid rumors about Jorge Messi’s health while his son competes at the World Cup. “Jorge is going through a health situation,” the Messi family stated. They did not specify the condition affecting the 68-year-old Jorge Messi. “He is currently under medical observation, recovering and progressing favorably within his current condition,” the statement added.
The family did not disclose the illness that Jorge Messi, 68, is suffering from. “He is currently under medical observation, recovering and progressing favorably within his current condition,” the statement confirmed.
As the tournament unfolds, a wealth of statistics comes to light. Here are some notable highlights:
- Mexico was the slowest team to advance the ball upfield, taking their time against a South Africa side that posed little threat.
Mexico moved the ball upfield slower than any other team. They could afford to take their time as South Africa offered next to no threat.
- South Korea’s victory was deserved, with the 25-pass buildup leading to Hwang In-beom’s equalizer marking the joint-fifth longest passing sequence leading to a goal in World Cup history since 1966.
South Korea were worthy winners, with the 25-pass buildup to Hwang In-beom’s equaliser the joint-fifth longest passing sequence leading to a goal in the World Cup since records began in 1966.
Catch up on all of yesterday’s action with Max and the team in a visual format.
The current match heavily favors the tournament hosts against a Qatar squad now reduced to nine men. However, this outcome risks being overshadowed by a concerning injury to Canada midfielder Ismael Kone.
In Group B, Switzerland has made significant progress toward the knockout stage with a 4-1 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The excitement surrounding Johan Manzambi is sure to increase following his stellar performance off the bench, helping Switzerland overcome a challenging situation and kick-start their tournament. The 20-year-old stood out for Freiburg during their Europa League final defeat against Aston Villa last month, and after entering the match as part of a triple substitution in the 73rd minute, he scored a brilliant volley that sealed the win.
Mexico and South Korea would have been encouraged by the earlier Group A result, with South Africa managing a 1-1 draw against Czechia, thanks to a late penalty.
The decision to award the penalty clearly illustrated that the modern handball law is in need of reevaluation.
That neither of them got it means both can still go through. A win over South Korea would mean South Africa progresses, although a second yellow card means Mokoena will miss the game. A win for Czechia against Mexico would see them through too. Whether either are capable is a different matter.
Hello everyone, and welcome to live coverage of match 28 of the 2026 World Cup featuring Mexico and South Korea. Kick-off for this Group A match at Estadio Guadalajara is set for 7 pm local time (9 pm EDT/2 am BST/11 am AEST).
With the first round of fixtures completed, matches with immediate stakes are upon us. A victory at Estadio Akron will see the winning nation top Group A and face a third-place team in the round of 32. The losing side will still have a solid chance to advance but will experience anxious moments in their final group matches.
El Tri did what was necessary on their opening day against South Africa. The Taegeuk Warriors exhibited resilience in defense and agility in attack against Czechia. Both teams must elevate their performances to secure a favorable outcome this evening.
This duo played to a 2-2 draw as recently as September last year, a match Mexico largely controlled but required a stoppage-time strike from Santiago Giménez to secure a point.
This encounter marks the third time these nations have clashed in the World Cup group stage, with Mexico emerging victorious in both 1998 and 2018.
I will return shortly with team news and a recap of all matchday action thus far. In the meantime, feel free to follow the Canada vs. Qatar match and share your thoughts about the World Cup via email at jonathan.howcroft.freelance@.
