The Korea men's national soccer team led by Hong Myung-bo arrived in Monterrey, Mexico, on the 22nd (Korea time).
Monterrey is where the national team will play its Group A third match of the 2026 North and Central America World Cup against South Africa at 10 a.m. on the 25th.
Because Korea lost 1-0 to Mexico in the second match, the result against South Africa is crucial.
If Korea wins or draws, it will keep second place in the group and advance to the round of 32 in the knockout stage, but a loss could mean elimination in fourth place.
Arriving at the JW Marriott Monterrey around 4 p.m. that day, the team appeared with a grim look.
In front of the hotel, despite the sweltering 35 degrees Celsius heat, about 100 fans gathered and chanted for Son Heung-min (34, LA FC) and Lee Kang-in (25, Paris Saint-Germain FC), but the players quickly entered the hotel.
Meanwhile, the referee for the third match will be Facundo Tello of Argentina as the head referee. Tello also served as the head referee for the Group H match between Korea and Portugal at the Qatar World Cup.
The assistant referee crew consists of Juan Pablo Belatti and Gabriel Chade of Argentina, while the fourth official and reserve assistant referee duties will be handled by Andres Rojas and Alexander Guzman of Colombia.