Mexico coach Javier Aguirre, who will face South Korea again, did not let his guard down. He even described them as effectively a European team.
The International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) held the 2026 FIFA CONCACAF World Cup final draw on the 6th (Korea time) at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., United States. With 42 countries confirmed for the finals, the remaining six berths will be decided through the European qualifiers playoff and intercontinental playoffs in March next year.
South Korea, led by coach Hong Myung-bo, was placed in Group A, grouped with co-host Mexico, South Africa, and the winner of European qualifying playoff path D, which will be one of Denmark, North Macedonia, the Czech Republic or Ireland.
This is one of the best possible group draw results. Although Mexico, a CONCACAF powerhouse playing at home, is certainly a challenging opponent, their strength is considerably lower compared with other pot 1 teams. Moreover, South Africa is certainly a tier below in terms of strength. Just having avoided a European powerhouse and an African powerhouse makes this a draw where South Korea can aim for first place in the group.
The match against Mexico is likely to be the key. South Korea will face Mexico in their second group match on June 18 next year at Estadio Akron in Zapopan. On the 12th they will play their first match against the European playoff path D winner at Akron Stadium in Guadalajara, Mexico, and on the 25th they will play their final match against South Africa at BBVA Stadium in Monterrey.
Zapopan sits at a high altitude of 1,571 meters above sea level, so Mexico's home advantage is expected to be significant. Even so, Mexico is wary of South Korea. ESPN reported, "Some TV commentators rated the group stage as an 'easy group.' But coach Aguirre took a cautious stance."
According to the outlet, coach Aguirre said, "We faced South Korea and they were not an easy team. They perform their assigned roles faithfully. They are a disciplined team with excellent organization. South Africa is not easy either," and analyzed, "South Korea is effectively a European team. Except for the goalkeeper, all players are based in Europe. I know some of their coaches, and they have good stamina. They are a very strong opponent."
Of course, he did not lose confidence. He added, "South Korea is a good team. But we also have opportunities. We are at home, and we are with our people."
With this group composition, Mexico and South Korea will meet for the third time in the World Cup finals. The previous two meetings both ended in Mexico victories. South Korea lost 1-3 to Mexico in their first group match at the 1998 France tournament, and lost 1-2 to Mexico in their second group match at the 2018 Russia tournament.
Mexico has World Cup meeting experience with South Africa as well. The two teams drew 1-1 in the opening match of the 2010 South Africa tournament. Mexico was coached at the time by Aguirre. Mexico captain Edson Álvarez said, "I am glad to have faced these opponents before. As a host of this great tournament, we feel a sense of responsibility."
Raúl Jiménez, the Mexican forward playing for Premier League club Fulham, also expressed satisfaction with the draw. He said, "There will be no easy opponents, but it could have been worse," and added, "I think it's a good group. We can learn a lot. We take every match one by one and give our best. What we want is to win and finish first in the group."
Meanwhile, Hong Myung-bo's South Korea and coach Aguirre's Mexico recently met as well. In a friendly on Sept. 9 at Geodis Park in Nashville, Tennessee, the teams drew 2-2. South Korea conceded an early goal to Raúl Jiménez but turned the game around with Son Heung-min in the 20th minute of the second half and Oh Hyun-kyu in the 30th minute of the second half, only to concede a dramatic equalizer to Santiago Jiménez just before full time, losing a victory that seemed within reach.
[Photo] ⓒGettyimages (unauthorized reproduction and redistribution prohibited), LAFC, Korea Football Association.
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