▲ South Korea national football team head coach Hong Myung-bo answers questions during an official press conference at Guadalajara Stadium in Mexico on the 17th (local time), one day before the match against Mexico in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
"It is unfortunate that such an incident occurred during the most important time for match preparation."
Head coach Hong Myung-bo expressed his regret regarding a drone incident that took place at the training ground while preparing for the match against Mexico.
The South Korean national football team, led by Hong, will play their second Group A match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup against Mexico on June 19 (KST) at Guadalajara Stadium in Zapopan, Mexico.
Their opponent is Mexico, the host nation and widely considered the strongest team in Group A.
As both South Korea and Mexico secured victories in their opening matches, the result of this second game is highly likely to determine who takes the top spot in the group.
On June 17, two days before the crucial match, the Hong Myung-bo squad held a closed-door training session at their base camp, Chivas Verde Valle in Zapopan, with all access restricted.
However, a drone appeared in the sky above the training ground just as the session began and the players were warming up.
The national team's security personnel spotted the drone, and a Mexican military drone-jamming unit stationed at the base camp emitted radio waves to bring it down.
The team's safety officer, along with local police and military personnel, moved to the crash site to secure the drone, but two men suspected of operating it retrieved the device and fled the scene.
The nationality or identities of the individuals have not yet been confirmed, and the FIFA safety officer assigned to the team has requested an investigation by the Mexican police.
The purpose of flying the drone has not been determined.
It remains unclear whether it was an attempt to spy on the Hong Myung-bo squad's training or an act by foreign media.
It is fortunate that the drone was discovered before the team began their main tactical training.
When asked about the incident by a foreign reporter during the press conference held at Guadalajara Stadium today, the day before the match, coach Hong said, "I learned that a drone appeared during training yesterday. Fortunately, it was before we started tactical training, so it did not have a major impact." He added, "However, it is regrettable that such an incident occurred during the most important time for preparing for the match."
(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.