The Korea men's national soccer team led by Hong Myung-bo will play Mexico in the Group A second match of the 2026 North and Central America World Cup at 10 a.m. on the 19th (Korea time) at Estadio Guadalajara in Zapopan, Jalisco, Mexico.
After a come-from-behind 2-1 win in the first match against the Czech Republic on the 12th, Korea can clinch first place in the group with a victory over Mexico and, with 6 points, secure a spot in the round of 32 regardless of the third match.
However, with Korea trailing in the head-to-head record against Mexico and never having won in World Cup play, the outlook is that it will not be an easy match.
Overall, Korea and Mexico have played 15 A-matches, with Korea recording 4 wins, 3 draws and 8 losses. Among these, the World Cup matches were two games: the 1998 France World Cup and the 2018 Russia World Cup.
Both were group-stage games, and Korea lost 3-1 and 2-1, respectively, and had to give up on advancing to the round of 16.
Also, this match is Mexico's home game. Mexico has not lost once in 24 A-matches played at home since October 2019.
This year, they have looked strong both home and away. Mexico's 2026 A-match record is 5 wins, 2 draws and 2 losses, and after losing the first two matches, they are on a seven-match unbeaten run.
At a Mexico match press conference on the 18th, head coach Hong Myung-bo said, "We are also playing one of the strongest teams. Playing the home team is even more difficult," but added, "The players will overcome it well, and we will prepare to play a good match."