Korea Republic coach Hong Myung-bo and defender Kim Min-jae held a press briefing ahead of their World Cup match against South Africa [1, 2].
The result of this Group A encounter will determine which team qualifies for the knockout stages of the tournament [2, 5].
The match is scheduled for June 24, 2026 [1, 3] at the Estadio BBVA in Guadalupe, Monterrey, Mexico [1, 3]. Kick-off is set for 7 p.m. local time [1], which corresponds to 1 a.m. BST [1].
During the media session, Hong Myung-bo addressed the mindset of his squad as they face the pressure of a decisive group game. The coach emphasized the growth and confidence of his players on the global stage. "Korea Republic no longer fears the World Cup stage," Hong said [5].
Defender Kim Min-jae joined the coach to answer questions regarding the team's tactical preparations. The duo focused on the necessity of a victory to ensure progression in the tournament, a goal that requires a disciplined defensive performance and clinical attacking play [2, 5].
The briefing follows days of preparation in Mexico as the team adjusts to the local environment. Both the coach and the defender expressed confidence in the team's ability to secure the points needed to advance from the group stage [2].
“"Korea Republic no longer fears the World Cup stage"”
This match represents a high-stakes pivot point for South Korea's tournament trajectory. Because a win is required for knockout-stage qualification, the psychological shift mentioned by Hong Myung-bo suggests a strategic effort to move past previous historical hesitations in critical World Cup moments.
