South Africa Goes All-In for Korea Match... Resumes Intensive Training [2026 World Cup]

Training at 2,400 Meters Above Sea Level

Final Match Holds the Ticket to the Round of 32

The South African national team, which will face Hong Myungbo’s squad in the final group stage match of the 2026 North and Central America World Cup, has returned to its base camp and resumed training to prepare for the match against Korea after their second fixture.

Yonhap News Agency

On June 20 (Korean time), the South African squad, led by Belgian coach Hugo Broos, began full-scale preparations at the training ground inside the Universidad del Fútbol in Pachuca, Hidalgo, Mexico.

After drawing 1-1 against the Czech Republic in their second Group A match at Atlanta Stadium in Georgia, United States, the previous day, South Africa returned immediately to Pachuca.

In their first match on June 12, South Africa suffered a heavy 0-2 defeat to co-host Mexico after two players were sent off. Against the Czech Republic, they were trailing 0-1 but managed to secure a valuable point by scoring a penalty equalizer late in the second half.

Currently, in Group A, Mexico secured their early advancement to the round of 32 by defeating Korea 1-0 at Guadalajara Stadium the previous day, recording two consecutive wins (6 points) and holding first place. Korea (3 points), the Czech Republic, and South Africa (1 point each) follow in the standings.

In the final third group match to be held at Monterrey Stadium in Mexico on June 25, Korea is determined to defeat South Africa and advance to the round of 32 as the group’s runner-up. South Africa, also aiming for a spot in the knockout stage, is in a must-win situation. South Africa has previously participated in three World Cups (1998, 2002, and 2010) but was eliminated in the group stage each time.

While Mexico and the Czech Republic took a rest day after their second matches, South Africa, despite the relatively long journey, jumped straight back into training without a break.

Key midfielder Teboho Mokoena, who scored the penalty equalizer the previous day but will miss the Korea match due to accumulated yellow cards, and other starters from the Czech Republic match focused on recovery with a light walk instead of field training.

The rest of the players, including South Africa’s only “England-based” striker Lyle Foster (Burnley), who was on the bench against the Czech Republic after starting against Mexico, warmed up with some light ball touches during the first 15 minutes open to the media, then divided into three groups for passing drills. Coach Broos paid close attention to the players’ movements, focusing on preparations for the Korea match.

Like the Korean national team, South Africa has set up its base camp in a high-altitude area for this World Cup. Pachuca, located about 90 kilometers from Mexico City, sits at an elevation of 2,400 meters, which is higher than Guadalajara (1,570 meters), where Hong Myungbo’s squad is based.

The South African training ground is located at a sports university focused on soccer. The training facilities for CF Pachuca of Mexico’s Liga MX are also situated here, offering an environment ideal for dedicated training.

While the Korean national team plans to take a full day off on June 21 to spend time with their families, the South African team will continue training on that day.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.