Mexico meet South Korea in a top of Group A clash at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Sat top of the table on three points apiece, victory would see either Mexico or South Korea secure their place in the knockout stages with a match to spare.
Team News
Julian Quinones is a doubt for Mexico after he suffered a knock in their 2-0 opening victory against South Africa, although he is expected to have recovered sufficiently enough to be available for selection.
Cesar Montes however is suspended after his red card in injury time of that match.
South Korea have no fresh injury concerns after their 2-1 victory over Czech Republic.
When is Kick-Off?
Mexico meet South Korea at Estadio Akron, Zapopan, on Thursday 18 June at 7pm CST (2am BST, Friday 19 June) live on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Mexico have won both of their two previous World Cup meetings against South Korea (W2), having won 3-1 in 1998 then 2-1 in 2018.
- South Korea are winless in their last four meetings against Mexico in all competitions (D1, L3).
- Mexico have won each of their last three World Cup meetings against AFC confederation-based countries (W3).
- South Korea haven’t won more than one group match at a single World Cup since they co-hosted the 2002 edition, during which they won two group matches in that campaign.
Prediction
Having comfortably dominated South Africa in the tournament opener, Mexico now face the first test of their credentials because they will now have to do some periods of solid defensive work to keep South Korea quiet but be more clinical than they were in the opening game.
South Korea meanwhile did well to come from behind against Czech Republic to make their eventual dominance count in a tight encounter, so I expect them to be right up for this clash if can continue to build on that performance.
My instinct though is that there won’t be much to split both teams so a draw would feel like a fair result.
Prediction: Mexico 1-1 South Korea
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