At midday on the 25th at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul. When the match against South Africa, the final group-stage game of the 2026 North and Central America World Cup, ended, disappointment was written on the faces of citizens who filled the square. Korea lost to South Africa and failed to secure second place in the group, and now must calculate the "permutations" to see if it can reach the round of 32 by comparing results with third-place teams from other groups.
◇ Korea loses to South Africa… disappointment fills Gwanghwamun Square
When the final whistle blew, the chants that had continued throughout the match quieted. Some citizens stared at the giant screen for a while before hanging their heads, and elsewhere people took out their phones to check results from other groups and live standings.
Across the square, people were asking, "Is there still a chance?" and saying, "We have to see the results from other groups." Many holding cheering sticks in their hands couldn't bring themselves to leave.
A person surnamed Kim, 35, said, "A draw alone would have sent us to the round of 32, so expectations were high, and it's such a shame," adding, "Still, since there's a chance we can advance, I'll watch the results to the end."
A university student surnamed Choi, 21, who came for the street cheering with friends, said, "It was frustrating to see the Korea national soccer team wobble throughout the match," and added, "Still, I'll be cheering for Korea to reach the round of 32."
Even before kickoff, citizens in Red Devils T-shirts and draped in Taegeukgi flags gathered at Gwanghwamun Square. The area in front of the big screen filled early with supporters, and the roar of "Daehanminguk" matched to the cheer squad's chants swept across the square.
According to Seoul city data, as of 12 p.m. that day, the population at Gwanghwamun Square was counted at 16,000–18,000. It was 103.1% higher than the same-time average over the past month.
◇ "third place in the group" Korea… now it's a permutations battle
With the first half ending 0-0, tension hung over the square. Early in the first half, applause broke out at Lee Kang-in's powerful left-footed shot, but whenever South Africa counterattacked afterward, citizens sighed and watched with their hands clasped.
In the second half, cheers and disappointment alternated whenever a decisive chance came. But when the opponents' forward scored the opener in the 63rd minute, citizens' expressions hardened. When Korea eventually lost 0-1 to South Africa, a heavy silence fell over the square.
Korea remained third in the group with three points (one win, two losses) and failed to reach the round of 32 on its own. Whether it advances will be decided by comparing results with third-place teams from other groups. The Korea national soccer team must finish in the top eight among the 12 third-place teams overall to make the round of 32.