Match Officials and Asian Teams' Progress
Tonight's officials are Uruguayan, led by referee Gustavo Tejera.
Jonathan Wilson has analyzed the improving performance of Asian nations at the World Cup, a trend that continues with South Korea's victory in Guadalajara.
"The tone was set on day one with South Korea’s victory over 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 Sponsor Hyundai
As Matt Hughes reports, protests against sponsors Hyundai are anticipated before tonight’s match.
"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.
Drone Incident Near South Korea Training Camp
Mexican military forces intercepted and brought down a drone that flew near the South Korea team’s training camp as they prepared for their World Cup match against the co-hosts. Military forces used specialized equipment to detect an “unregistered drone” near the camp, prompting them to “neutralise” it, a Mexican federal agent said.
It was not clear if the drone was attempting to spy on the South Korean team. Coach Hong Myung-bo stated:
"During our training, there was a drone in the sky. 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."
South Korea Starting XI
Hong Myung-bo made one change with Kim Moon-hwan replacing Lee Tae-seok at left wingback.
South Korea (3-4-3): 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.
Mexico Team Adjustments
Javier Aguirre was forced into one change following the red card to Cesar Montes against South Africa. Montes is replaced in the centre of defence by Edson Alvarez. Aguirre also switched right backs, with Israel Reyes coming in for Jorge Sanchez, and adjusted his midfield where Alvarao Fidalgo loses out to Luis Romo.
Mexico (4-1-2-3): 1 Rangel; 2 Sanchez, 4 Alvarez, 5 Vasquez, 23 Gallardo; 6 Lira; 26 Gutierrez, 7 Romo Fidalgo; 25 Alvarado, 9 Jimenez, 16 Quinones.
Group A Match Preview and Fan Relations
Jonathan Wilson sets the scene from Guadalajara, focusing on the biggest match in Group A.
"Fans of the two countries have shared a warm relationship since the 2018 World Cup, when South Korea’s unexpected 2-0 victory over Germany in their final group game put Mexico into 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, ‘¡Coreano, hermano, ya eres mexicano!’ – ‘Korean, brother, you are Mexican now!’ The chant has been resurrected in Guadalajara, where South Korea beat Czechia 2-1 in their first group game. When a group of Korean fans visited the wrestling, 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's Historic Win and Injury Concerns
Canada have taken a giant step towards the knockout stage with a first win in the country’s history against an abject nine-man Qatar. However, the host nation’s joy was tempered by a serious-looking injury to Ismael Kone.
Messi's Hat-trick and Family Health Concerns
Lionel Messi began the World Cup with a brilliant hat-trick but concerns over his father’s health threaten to overshadow his participation.
"Lionel Messi’s father is undergoing medical treatment for an undisclosed illness and his family asked the media for ‘humanity’ on Thursday amid rumours about Jorge Messi’s health while his son competes at the World Cup. ‘Jorge is going through a health situation,’ the Messi family said in a statement.
The family did not specify the illness that the 68-year-old Jorge Messi is suffering from. ‘He is currently under medical observation, recovering and progressing favourably within his current condition,’ the statement said.
Statistical Highlights from the Tournament
One round of matches, 24 games, mountains of data. Enjoy the choicest nuggets here, including:
- 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 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.
Match Updates and Injury Reports
Catch up on all yesterday’s action with Max and the gang in audio-visual format.
The match currently in play is one-way traffic in favour of the tournament hosts against a Qatar side now down to nine men. But the result risks being overshadowed by a horror injury to Canada midfielder Ismael Kone.
Group B Developments
In Group B Switzerland took a giant step towards the knockout phase with a 4-1 triumph over Bosnia and Herzegovina.
"The hype around Johan Manzambi will only heighten after his star turn from the substitutes’ bench helped Switzerland out of a hole and got their tournament truly up and running. The 20-year-old managed to excel for Freiburg in their comprehensive Europa League final defeat against Aston Villa last month and, with 73 minutes played here and three minutes after entering as part of a triple substitution, his superb volley put an end to a sterile contest, hooking a right-foot shot into the Bosnia and Herzegovina net."
Group A Standings and Prospects
Mexico and South Korea would have been delighted with the Group A result earlier in the day with South Africa holding Czechia to a 1-1 draw courtesy of a late penalty.
The decision to award the spot-kick was a clear demonstration the modern handball law is not fit for purpose.
"That neither of them got it means both can still go through. A win over South Korea would mean South Africa progress, 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."
Live Coverage Introduction
Hello everybody and welcome to live coverage of match 28 of the 2026 World Cup between Mexico and South Korea. Kick-off in this Group A clash at the Estadio Guadalajara is 7pm local time (9pm EDT/2am BST/11am AEST).
With the first round of fixtures completed, contests containing immediate jeopardy are now upon us. If there is a winner at Estadio Akron that nation will top Group A and take on a third-place side in the round of 32. The loser will still be well placed to progress, but they will face nervy moments in their final group matches.
El Tri drew on the opening day against South Africa. The Tageuk Warriors won against Czechia. Both will have to raise their games to earn a positive result this evening.
This pair played out a 2-2 draw as recently as September last year, a game Mexico dominated for large parts but required a stoppage time strike from Santiago Giménez to share the spoils.
This will be the third time these countries have met in the group phase of a World Cup, with Mexico proving victorious in both 1998 and 2018.
I’ll be back shortly with team news and a roundup of all the matchday action so far. In the meantime you can keep an eye on Canada v Qatar and email any thoughts about the World Cup to jonathan.howcroft.freelance@the.com.
