Seoul: South Korea will face two of the three host countries of the next FIFA World Cup in away friendly matches this fall, the sport's national federation said Wednesday.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the Korea Football Association (KFA) announced that South Korea, led by coach Hong Myung-bo, will play against the U.S. team at Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, New Jersey, at 5 p.m. on September 6 (6 a.m. on September 7, Korean Standard Time). Following this, South Korea will face Mexico on September 9 at a venue yet to be determined.
The United States and Mexico are set to be co-hosts of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, alongside Canada. These matches will mark the first set of away friendlies for South Korea since their games against Wales and Saudi Arabia in Wales and England in September 2023. The last encounter between South Korea and the U.S. was in February 2014, resulting in a 2-0 victory for the Americans. The U.S. currently holds the No. 16 spot in the FIFA rankings, seven places above South Korea. However, South Korea has an overall lead with five wins, three draws, and three losses in their encounters.
In their previous meeting with Mexico in November 2015 in Austria, Mexico emerged victorious with a 3-2 win. South Korea's record against Mexico stands at four wins, two draws, and eight losses. Mexico is ranked 17th in the world.
South Korea is on the brink of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup. They are leading Group B in the ongoing third round of the Asian qualification with 16 points, three points ahead of Jordan and four ahead of Iraq. With the top two teams securing World Cup spots, South Korea can clinch their place with at least a draw against Iraq in their next qualifying match on June 5.
The final qualifying match will be held at home against Kuwait on June 10. The KFA mentioned that coach Hong will announce his squad for these matches on May 26. South Korea has participated in every World Cup since 1986, co-hosting the event with Japan in 2002.