Sky is helping Korean soccer.
The International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) held the 2026 FIFA North and Central America World Cup final draw on June 6 at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. Korea will compete in Group A with host Mexico, South Africa, and the winner of European qualifying Group D.
The final spot will be filled by one of Denmark, North Macedonia, the Czech Republic or Ireland. Denmark seems most likely. It is ideal in that Korea avoided the toughest opponent, Italy. Korea drew a "sweet" group, avoiding superpowers such as Argentina and France.
There is another advantage. With Korea grouped with host Mexico, travel distance is also dramatically reduced. According to ESPN, Korea's travel distance in the group stage is 637 km, the seventh shortest among 48 countries. It is an optimal route even shorter than host Mexico, which travels 933 km.
The United States has different time zones and long travel distances even within its borders. Players can suffer disrupted biorhythms, sleep disorders and loss of appetite from long-distance travel. Korea avoids all of these disadvantages.
Korea plays its first group match against the European playoff (PO) Path D winner at Estadio Akron in Guadalajara, Mexico, at 11 a.m. on June 12, 2026, Korea time. Without travel, Korea meets host Mexico at the same venue at 10 a.m. on June 19. That means the team can play the crucial first two matches in optimal condition.
Korea's third match against South Africa will take place at 10 a.m. on June 25 at Estadio BBVA in Monterrey, Mexico. It is 637 km from Guadalajara. By plane it takes about 90 minutes.
What is even more remarkable is that if Korea finishes first in the group, it will play through the round of 32 entirely in Mexico. It will effectively be a "Mexico World Cup." Another advantage is that prices in Mexico are cheaper than in the United States.
However, a downside is that many Koreans living in the United States will not be able to cheer the national team in person. Son Heung-min also moved to Major League Soccer to prepare for the North and Central America World Cup, but mainly playing in Mexico makes that move less meaningful.
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