Tequila tonight, war tomorrow for Mexico and Korea
Two sets of fans danced together this week — that mood won't survive kickoff.
Two days out, Mexican and South Korean supporters were filmed celebrating side by side, blending tequila and 'Gangnam Style' into one of the tournament's early feel-good stories. Cross-cultural joy, captured on camera. Both camps know it curdles the instant they meet on the pitch.
That meeting comes as Group A's second fixture, with South Africa and Czechia rounding out the pool. The two have history, too: their last encounter was a 2025 friendly that finished 2-2. Since then, Mexico have stacked four wins and a draw across five, the most recent a 2-0 over South Africa. South Korea arrive streakier — three victories, two defeats, a 5-0 demolition of Trinidad and Tobago sitting awkwardly beside a 0-4 collapse against Ivory Coast.
Son Heung-min carries Korean hopes, analysts asking whether he can drag the side to the summit. Behind him, Hwang In-beom both scored and laid one on in the 2-1 over Czechia. The bookmakers, for their part, still lean Mexico. When the dancing stops, that looks about right.
Written and fact-checked by our AI preview desk from live match data. Refreshed as kickoff nears.
