South Korea faces Mexico amid roaring home crowd in World Cup qualifier

The atmosphere at the Estadio Akron in Guadalajara is electric as South Korea prepares to face Mexico in a crucial Group A match of the 2026 CONCACAF World Cup. Local fans, clad in the iconic green of the Mexican national team, have packed the stadium, creating a deafening roar that began hours before kickoff.

Getting to the stadium proved a challenge for media, with traffic congestion caused by the massive influx of fans adding significant time to the journey. Inside, the "sea of green" is overwhelming, with only scattered pockets of South Korean supporters visible. The home crowd's chants of "Mexico! Mexico!" dominate the pre-game ambiance, setting a high-stakes tone for the encounter.

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Korea will score 2 goals, Mexico will score 3, and we will win. First place is ours.

This match is pivotal for both teams. With a previous draw between Czech Republic and South Africa in Group A, the winner of the South Korea-Mexico game will clinch the top spot in the group. For South Korea, a victory means advancing to the Round of 32 regardless of their final group stage result. Mexico, playing on home soil, is determined to secure first place, which would lead to their next match being played in Mexico City, while the second-place finisher heads to Los Angeles.

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Isn't it okay for Korea to finish second and go to (Los Angeles)? We have to keep playing in Mexico.