1 of 2 | South Korean soccer fans cheer during a public viewing event at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul on Friday as South Korea played Czechia in their Group A match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Photo by Asia Today
June 12 (Asia Today) -- Thousands of South Korean soccer fans packed Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul on Friday, cheering, gasping and celebrating through South Korea's 2-1 comeback victory over Czechia in its opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
"Dae-han-min-guk! Until the end!" fans shouted as the square turned red with supporters wearing national team jerseys and carrying South Korean flags, cheering sticks and handheld fans.
The Group A match was played Friday morning in South Korea, but the weekday timing did little to slow the crowd. Children, office workers and longtime members of the Red Devils, South Korea's national soccer supporters' group, gathered in front of a large outdoor screen set up near the square.
When the opening whistle sounded at 11 a.m., fans shouted "Fighting!" and "Let's win!" Police unofficially estimated about 3,000 people had gathered at the square at the start of the match.
