On the 12th, when Korea's first match of the 2026 Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) North and Central America World Cup kicked off, Seoul's Gwanghwamun Square turned red from early morning. The street cheering crowd was initially expected to be around 6,000, but as kickoff approached, nearby residents joined and more than 10,000 filled the square.
The national team beat the Czech Republic 2-1 in a come-from-behind win. When the final whistle blew, cheers and applause erupted throughout Gwanghwamun Square. People hugged one another and shouted "Daehanminguk." With the first-match victory, World Cup cheering fever heated up again.
The excitement is expected to grow in the match against Mexico on the 19th. The official supporters' group of the national team, "Red Devils," expects up to 20,000 people could gather at Gwanghwamun Square. Red Devils chair Cho Ho-tae, 45, said, "There is a chance more people will come than for the Czech Republic match," and noted, "We are discussing safety measures with the Seoul city government and others."
Chair Cho, who has been a Red Devil since 1996, has watched the changes in Korea's street cheering culture on the ground. Cho said, "It's not that the cheering fervor has cooled just because tens of thousands no longer gather in a single place like in 2002," adding, "Now, not only Gwanghwamun but also offices, theaters, and neighborhoods have become cheering sections."
Cho added, "The Red Devils are supporters who back the national team, not the association or a particular figure," and said, "Even if we criticize what needs to be criticized, our support for the players does not change." We met Chair Cho on the 16th. The following is a Q&A.
– Has the mood changed after the win over the Czech Republic?
"I believed the national team would play well. The Red Devils have always supported the national team. Even citizens who were worried about various controversies cheer the players passionately once the match starts. In particular, the win in the first match against the Czech Republic greatly boosted the cheering atmosphere. The citizens who came to Gwanghwamun cheered with one heart throughout the match."
– You expect a bigger crowd for the Mexico match.
"For the Czech Republic match, we initially expected around 6,000 people, but more than twice that number actually gathered. For the Mexico match, we think up to about 20,000 could come to Gwanghwamun Square. That makes safety measures all the more important. We are continuing discussions with related agencies.
As the national team racks up wins, the cheering fervor will only get hotter. We have talked about that a lot among the organizers. If the national team advances to the round of 16 or further, I think we will once again feel the nationwide festival atmosphere like during the 2002 World Cup."
– Street cheering during the 2002 Korea-Japan World Cup still remains a symbol in people's memories.
"My clearest memory is coming to Gwanghwamun after the Portugal match ended. The moment I got off the bus, countless people welcomed us. The scene of everyone shouting "Daehanminguk" together is still vivid. The roar then went beyond simple soccer cheering; it was an experience of everyone becoming one."
– Some say the cheering fervor isn't what it used to be.
"I think the fervor hasn't cooled so much as the methods and culture have changed. In the past, the focus was on gathering at designated places like Gwanghwamun Square or City Hall Square to cheer together. Now, people enjoy the World Cup in their own ways in theaters, offices, local groups, and neighborhood business districts. The cheering sections are not confined to one place but have expanded across everyday spaces.
Fans' perspectives have also changed. In the past, many watched with a results-first mindset, but now more fans look at what efforts the players made during the match and why the result came about. A culture has taken root that looks not only at winning and losing but also at the national team's performance and the players' attitude."
– You have watched cheering scenes at home and abroad for nearly 30 years as a Red Devil.
"At first, I started because I loved soccer. Stadiums I used to visit alone gradually became places to cheer together, and now the act of meeting people to cheer is itself the driving force. Most away-game cheering costs are paid out of pocket, and on-site support for this North and Central America World Cup costs more than 20 million won per person."
– What will you focus on most during the rest of the World Cup?
"Safety is the most important thing. Since many people gather in one place, safety management must underpin street cheering for everyone to enjoy it fully. We are continuing to discuss safety measures with the Seoul city government and other related agencies.
We also want to keep updating cheering culture to fit the times. Rather than dividing by generation, we hope it becomes a place where people can mingle and communicate. The Red Devils will work harder to create cheering scenes where anyone can come comfortably and enjoy together."