▲ Players of the South Korean national football team, preparing for their second group stage match against Mexico in the 2026 North and Central America World Cup, run during a training session at Chivas Valle Verde in Zapopan, near Guadalajara, Mexico, on the 15th (local time).
With two days left until the second group stage match of the North and Central America World Cup against Mexico, the national football team held a closed-door training session.
The national team, led by head coach Hong Myung-bo, conducted a closed training session for approximately one hour and 30 minutes today (Korea Standard Time) at the Chivas Valle Verde training ground in Zapopan, near Guadalajara, Mexico.
The national team will face Mexico in their second Group A match the day after tomorrow (the 19th).
This match is effectively a "battle for first place in the group."
Since the team is required to hold an official press conference and open training to the media on the day before the match, this was their last opportunity to conduct high-intensity training behind closed doors before the showdown.
After opening about 15 minutes of their training session to the media the previous day, the team held this session entirely in private.
The national team also held a closed-door training session two days before their first match against the Czech Republic.
All 28 members of the squad, including Bae Jun-ho (Stoke City) and Kim Tae-hyeon (Kashima Antlers) who have recovered from injuries, as well as two training partners, participated in full training, dedicating significant time to tactical drills specifically aimed at the match against Mexico.
A team official stated, "After lunch, the players plan to spend the rest of the day freely, whether by going out to eat with their families or resting at the team hotel."
The second group stage match between South Korea and Mexico will take place at 10:00 AM on the 19th at Guadalajara Stadium.
Mexico, which defeated South Africa 2-0 in their first match, currently sits in first place in Group A, with South Korea in second.
It is highly likely that the outcome of this clash between the two "powerhouses" will determine the top spot in the group.
(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.