South Korea to Host Outdoor Cheering Events for FIFA World Cup Matches

By Yoo Jee-ho SEOUL, June 8 (Yonhap) -- The national football federation announced Monday it will organize outdoor cheering events for South Korean matches at the upcoming FIFA World Cup. The Korea Football Association (KFA) said it will team up with its official sponsor, KT, and the national team supporters group, Red Devils, to hold street cheering at Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul for the country's three group stage matches. South Korea will play all three Group A contests in Mexico. In South Korean time, they will take on Czechia at 11 a.m. Friday, then Mexico at 10 a.m. on June 19 and finally South Africa at 10 a.m. on June 25. The KFA said it will set up a stage and screens in the plaza and will take all the necessary steps to ensure a safe and orderly watch party. The KFA will also set up pop-up booths inside the KT Gwanghwamun West building, paying homage to South Korea's past World Cup squads while also giving fans a chance to send words of encouragement to players in Mexico. Those booths will stay open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. from Monday to Saturday during the World Cup. Outdoor cheering for World Cup matches took hold in South Korea in 2002, when the country co-hosted the tournament.