Hundreds of fans are gathered at Seoul's Gwanghwamun Square to cheer for South Korea in its 2026 World Cup opening Group A match against the Czech Republic, Friday. Yonhap
Hundreds of fans were gathered at Seoul's Gwanghwamun Square on Friday to cheer for South Korea in its 2026 World Cup opening Group A match against the Czech Republic.
With the game scheduled to kick off at 11 a.m., around 500 people had come to the plaza in central Seoul as of 9 a.m., according to an unofficial police estimate. Many were carrying umbrellas to beat the heat, as the day's highest temperature was forecast to reach around 30 C.
Street cheering has become a trend and phenomenon frequently seen at major social events since South Korea co-hosted the 2002 FIFA World Cup, when hundreds of thousands or even millions of people filled the streets of major cities, including Gwanghwamun Square, to cheer for the national team.
"It's my first time street cheering, so I am really excited," said 37-year-old office worker Seo Young-shin, who had taken the day off for the occasion. "I love the World Cup so much. Today is the most important match, so I hope we win."
