Hong Myung-bo's South Korea team trains ahead of crucial Czech Republic match

The Hong Myung-bo-led South Korean national football team completed their final training session ahead of their crucial match against the Czech Republic.

Led by coach Hong Myung-bo, the South Korean national football team trained on the 11th (KST), one day before the 2026 North and Central American World Cup match against the Czech Republic, at Chivas Verde Valle in Zapopan, near Guadalajara, Mexico.

The training, which was open to the media for only 18 minutes, began with the Taeguk Warriors and coaching staff gathering in a circle near the center circle.

Coach Hong delivered a speech, and the players, in a 'at ease' stance, along with other coaching staff, listened with determined expressions.

After a four-minute speech, the players ran laps around the field.

They then warmed up under the guidance of the physical coach. The commands were delivered with more vigor than usual.

Kim Tae-hyun (Kashima), who sprained his ankle in training the previous day and is highly unlikely to play during the group stage, trained alone indoors.

Bae Jun-ho (Stoke City), who injured his ankle in a deep tackle during a friendly match against Trinidad and Tobago in the pre-camp, rode a stationary bike set up next to the field. Bae Jun-ho is expected to be able to play from the second group stage match.

The remaining 24 Taeguk Warriors continued their training in a lively atmosphere with training partners and coaching staff.

South Korea will face the Czech Republic at 11 a.m. on the 12th at the Guadalajara Stadium in Zapopan.

A victory here would mean they have crossed the 50% mark towards advancing to the Round of 32.

If they lose, the pressure of the second match against host nation Mexico will increase. They could find themselves in increasingly unfavorable 'what-if' scenarios.

Looking back at South Korea's World Cup history, they have never advanced to the knockout stage after losing their opening group match.

Therefore, the match against the Czech Republic is considered a 'watershed moment' that will determine the success of Hong Myung-bo's team in this tournament.

In a press conference held at the Guadalajara Stadium prior to this, Coach Hong stated, 'I don't think our team has been negligent in preparing for this tournament,' and expressed confidence, saying, '(Regarding the possibility of winning the first match) Internally, we assess it very positively.'

The first group stage match between South Korea and the Czech Republic in the World Cup will be held at the Guadalajara Stadium in Zapopan at 11 a.m. on the 12th.