The 2026 North American World Cup (hosted jointly by Canada, the United States and Mexico) has become the most difficult World Cup to watch in history after all three of South Korea's group-stage matches were scheduled for morning hours in Korea time (10–11 a.m.).
FIFA announced the exact kick-off times for all 104 matches of the 2026 World Cup finals on the 7th (Korea time) via a live video stream. In the group draw held the day before at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., South Korea, drawn into Group A, will play the group stage with host country Mexico, South Africa and Denmark, likely joined by the winner of European playoff path D.
Playoff path D will decide its World Cup ticket holder through one-off matches in March next year—Denmark vs. North Macedonia and Czech Republic vs. Ireland—followed by a final. Denmark, ranked 21st in the FIFA rankings, leads the pack, but the one-off nature of the matches leaves room for variables.
FIFA released only the dates immediately after the draw and postponed announcing the exact times by one day. It was an adjustment process to optimize timing for the host countries, broadcasters and global fans. As announced, all three of South Korea's group-stage matches were placed in morning time slots.
First, South Korea will face the winner of European playoff path D in its first match. The match is scheduled for 10 p.m. local time (U.S. eastern) on June 11, which corresponds to 11 a.m. Korea time on June 12, and will take place in Guadalajara, Mexico.
Similarly, the match against host Mexico is scheduled for 9 p.m. local time on June 18, which corresponds to 10 a.m. Korea time the next day, June 19, in Guadalajara.
The match against the weakest team in the group, South Africa, is also scheduled for 9 p.m. local time on June 24, which corresponds to 10 a.m. Korea time on June 25.
This is the hardest viewing time in South Korea's World Cup scheduling history. All three matches are on weekdays (first match Friday, second match Friday, third match Thursday), making them the most difficult time slots for typical office workers and students.
After the time schedule was released, internet users actually expressed concerns such as "Office workers will have to take paid leave to watch the World Cup live" and "It will be difficult to watch the World Cup during classes at schools or universities."
Coach Aguirre began his interview after the group draw by saying, "I've faced Korea before, and they are by no means an easy team." He went on to say, "They fulfill their assigned roles, are disciplined and move cohesively. The same goes for South Africa."
He drew attention by saying of South Korea, "They are effectively a European team. Almost all players except the goalkeeper play in Europe. They are physically strong and there are coaches I know well. They are a very powerful opponent." This was read to mean that most Korean players play on the European stage and that their tactical and physical systems go beyond the category of the "Asian style."
Of course, Mexico is not excessively intimidated. He added, "We will be at home with our people. Korea is an excellent team, but we also have opportunities," maintaining his confidence.
Historically, Mexico holds the edge with two wins in their World Cup matchups. South Korea lost 1-3 in the 1998 France tournament and 1-2 in the 2018 Russia tournament. From South Korea's perspective, Mexico has remained a consistently painful opponent. Mexico also faced South Africa 1-1 in the opening match of the 2010 South Africa World Cup, and the coach at the time was Aguirre.
South Africa coach Hugo Broos said in the mixed zone immediately after the draw, "Korea is not at the highest level but is a very good team." He added, "They may not seem to have many big star players, but they are actually a very tricky team to face. Their organization and movement are good," offering a weighty analysis from experience.
Apart from the time slots, it is welcome for South Korea that all three matches will be held in Mexico. With reduced travel distances, recovery cycles, training schedules and environmental adaptation have become much easier. It is also a positive factor that the team meets relatively stronger opponents in the first and second matches and the weakest South Africa in the third match.
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