South Korea loses 0-1 to Mexico in 2026 World Cup Group A match

South Korea’s national team entered the second Group A match of the 2026 North‑Central America World Cup in the Mexican city of Guanajuato, facing host nation Mexico. In a press conference the day before, midfielder Hwang In‑beom asked the Mexican side to pay more attention to him, while coach Hong Myung‑bo confirmed the lineup and highlighted the importance of the fixture for a possible two‑match winning streak.

During the pre‑match training in the nearby town of Sapotán, South Korean players, including Son Heung‑min and Lee Kang‑in, were observed in a light‑hearted atmosphere, although a “illegal” drone was spotted over the closed‑door session and later intercepted by local authorities.

The match itself ended in a 0‑1 defeat for South Korea. Goalkeeper Kim Seung‑kyu collided with defender Lee Gi‑hyuk while attempting a save, allowing Mexico’s Luis Lomo to score in the 5th minute of the second half. South Korea dominated possession in the first half (53 % vs 47 %) but could not convert chances, and a late surge failed to equalise.

Earlier group results saw Korea beat the Czech Republic and South Africa draw 1‑1, leaving Korea level on points with Mexico and needing a win in the final group game against South Africa to secure second place. Predictions from a BBC analyst foresaw a 1‑2 loss for Korea, while an AI model projected a 1‑1 draw.