Korea national team players run during a training session at Chivas Valle Verde in Zapopan, near Guadalajara, Mexico, Monday, ahead of their second match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup against Mexico. Yonhap
LOS ANGELES — Mexico and Korea will aim to punch their ticket to the World Cup knockout rounds on Thursday when they meet in Guadalajara knowing that a win would guarantee a last 32 berth.
The Group A rivals head into the fixture at the Estadio Akron fresh from victories over South Africa and the Czech Republic in their opening games last week.
In Thursday's first game of the second round of fixtures at this 48-team World Cup, Africa drew 1-1 with the Czech Republic.
Teboho Mokoena slotted home a penalty to grab a point for a much-improved South Africa team, from the one beaten by Mexico, after Michal Sadilek had put the Czechs ahead in the sixth minute in Atlanta.
