South Korea's national soccer players, who suffered a narrow loss to Mexico in their second Group A match at the 2026 World Cup, are spending time with their families to recharge.
The national team, led by head coach Hong Myung-bo, took a sweet break on Sunday with no team training. The players went out after morning recovery training the day after the Mexico match.
According to a team official, the players were free to go out to meet family and take time to recharge, returning by late Sunday afternoon.
The arrangement is consideration for players who have been in camp for more than a month, beginning with a pre-tournament camp in Salt Lake City, in the United States, that started on the 18th of last month. It aims to prevent players from losing focus during a tournament that has grown longer, with the number of participating teams expanded to 48.
The Korea Football Association's "Player Family Invitation Support Program," which it has operated since the 2022 Qatar tournament, also plays a part.
For this World Cup, the program provides each player with two double rooms at a hotel in the host city, along with two first-class tickets for every match so families can attend in person from the first game.
After the players spend time with their families and return, the national team will train Monday morning at Chivas Valle Verde, the base camp training ground, before boarding a charter flight to Monterrey, Mexico, where the third match will be held.
Meanwhile, South Africa, coached by Hugo Broos of Belgium, checked their condition with indoor training at their base camp in Pachuca, Hidalgo state, on the same day.
Having played their second match against the Czech Republic (a 1-1 draw) in Atlanta before returning to Pachuca, South Africa must readjust to the Mexican environment.
South Korea will play their Group A third match against South Africa at 10 a.m. on the 25th at Monterrey Stadium.
Hong's squad, second in Group A with one win and one loss (three points), will secure a spot in the round of 32 even with a draw against South Africa.
