Mexico vs South Korea Prediction. Mexico and South Korea — both winners on Match Day 1 — meet at Akron Stadium, Guadalajara on Friday, 19 June 2026 (03:00 SAST (Friday, 19 June 2026)) . The winner advances to the Round of 16 with a game to spare. Mexico won 2-0 vs South Africa; South Korea won 2-1 vs Czech Republic. Our prediction: both teams to score. Full analysis, team news, H2H and all markets on SportPesa.
Match details
| Field | Detail |
| Competition | 2026 FIFA World Cup — Group A, Match Day 2 |
| Date & kick-off | Friday, 19 June 2026 at 03:00 SAST (Friday, 19 June 2026) |
| Venue | Estadio Akron (Akron Stadium), Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico |
| Group A standings | After Match Day 1: Mexico 3pts, South Korea 3pts, Czech Republic 0pts, South Africa 0pts |
| Stakes | Winner advances to Round of 16 with a game to spare |
| Where to watch | DSTV/GOTV |
Win and you’re through: the stakes at Akron Stadium
Both teams enter this fixture on the back of opening victories and both know exactly what is at stake. Win, and Group A qualification is effectively secured heading into the third match. Lose, and the final group fixture becomes a potential elimination game.
Mexico’s opening 2-0 victory over South Africa was played on home soil in a ferocious atmosphere at Mexico City. Julián Quiñones and Raúl Jiménez scored the decisive goals. The match was not without controversy — César Montes received a red card late in the game. His availability for this fixture must be confirmed by the editorial team before publish. Coach Javier Aguirre has no other injury concerns and is expected to lean on his experienced squad, with Guillermo Ochoa, Edson Álvarez, and Jesús Gallardo all fit.
South Korea’s 2-1 comeback win over Czech Republic demonstrated exactly the fighting spirit Hong Myung-bo’s side is capable of. Going behind to Ladislav Krejčí’s header, they responded through Hwang Inbeom’s equaliser and Oh Hyeongyu’s late winner. Captain Son Heung-min leads the side alongside Kim Min-jae (Bayern Munich) in defence, Hwang Hee-chan, and Lee Kang-in. No injuries reported.
Mexico have the home advantage and the crowd. South Korea have the momentum and the quality to make this a genuine contest. The 14-match head-to-head between these sides reflects a historically competitive relationship.
Suspension and availability update
| Player | Status |
| César Montes (Mexico) | RED CARD vs South Africa |
Team news and expected line-ups
Note: César Montes inclusion below is based on the KE source article. His red card vs South Africa must be confirmed as not carrying a suspension before naming him in the XI. Update accordingly.
| Mexico (4-3-3) | South Korea (4-2-3-1) |
| Ochoa (GK) | Jo Hyeonwoo (GK) |
| Sanchez (RB) | Seol Youngwoo (RB) |
| Montes (CB) | Kim Min-jae (CB) |
| J. Vasquez (CB) | Lee Taeseok (CB) |
| Gallardo (LB) | Kim Moonhwan (LB) |
| Alvarez (DM) | Hwang Inbeom (DM) |
| L. Romo (CM) | Paik Seungho (DM) |
| Pineda (AM) | Lee Kang-in (RM) |
| R. Alvarado (RW) | Son (AM) |
| Jimenez (ST) | Hwang Hee-chan (LM) |
| Gimenez (LW) | Oh Hyeongyu (ST) |
Key stats
- Mexico: co-host nation. Beat South Africa 2-0 in their Group A opener. Julián Quiñones and Raúl Jiménez scored.
- Mexico: César Montes sent off late vs South Africa — suspension status must be confirmed.
- Mexico: have a perfect record against South Korea at World Cups — beat them 2-1 at the 2018 World Cup.
- Mexico form (last 5): {{CONFIRM with editorial}}.
- South Korea: beat Czech Republic 2-1 via a comeback in their Group A opener. Hwang Inbeom (67′) and Oh Hyeongyu (80′) scored.
- Son Heung-min: South Korea captain. One of the most recognised players in world football.
- Kim Min-jae (Bayern Munich): anchors South Korea’s defence.
- South Korea: have beaten Mexico in previous meetings, including at the 2006 World Cup and 2001 Confederations Cup.
- H2H (last 5 meetings): Sept 2025 – Mexico 2-2 South Korea (Friendly); Nov 2020 – Mexico 3-2 South Korea (Friendly); Jun 2018 – South Korea 1-2 Mexico (World Cup); Jan 2014 – Mexico 4-0 South Korea (Friendly); Jul 2012 – Mexico 0-0 South Korea (Olympics).
- Overall H2H: 14 meetings across all competitions.
- Group A standings (after Match Day 1): Mexico 3pts, South Korea 3pts, Czech Republic 0pts, South Africa 0pts.
Head-to-head
These two nations have a rich and relatively recent World Cup history. Their most significant encounter was at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, where Mexico won 2-1, contributing to their perfect World Cup record against South Korea. South Korea have beaten Mexico in other competitions, including a victory at the 2006 World Cup and the 2001 FIFA Confederations Cup, making this a genuinely even overall series across 14 meetings.
| Date | Result |
| 9 September 2025 | Mexico 2–2 South Korea (Friendly) |
| 14 November 2020 | Mexico 3–2 South Korea (Friendly) |
| 23 June 2018 | South Korea 1–2 Mexico (World Cup, Russia) |
| 29 January 2014 | Mexico 4–0 South Korea (Friendly) |
| 26 July 2012 | Mexico 0–0 South Korea (Olympics) |
Our prediction
Mexico have the home advantage, a passionate crowd in Guadalajara, and the momentum of a dominant opening win. Aguirre’s side will want to secure qualification early and put themselves in control of Group A.
South Korea are no ordinary opposition. Son, Kim Min-jae, Hwang Hee-chan, and Lee Kang-in represent a squad with genuine technical quality and the proven ability to come from behind under pressure. Their 2-1 win over Czech Republic showed they can find goals and fight until the end. Mexico’s history against South Korea at World Cups is a strength, but the Taegeuk Warriors will not concede that record lightly.
Both sides have shown they can score and both will be going for the win. Goals from both sides is the most defensible prediction in what is set to be one of the standout Group A fixtures.
Our prediction: both teams to score.
Odds and markets
Odds correct at 0300 hrs UTC on 19/06/2026 and subject to change.
How to bet on SportPesa
- Open the Mexico vs South Korea event page on SportPesa (link above).
- Choose your market — Single Bet (SB), Multi-Bet (MB), or Live Bet (LB) once the match starts.
- Enter your stake and place your bet.
Frequently asked questions
What time does Mexico vs South Korea kick off?
Kick-off is at 03:00 SAST (Friday, 19 June 2026) on Friday, 19 June 2026, at Estadio Akron, Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico.
What happened in Mexico’s first match at World Cup 2026?
Mexico beat South Africa 2-0 in their Group A opener in Mexico City. Julián Quiñones and Raúl Jiménez scored. The match also saw three red cards — two for South Africa and one for Mexico’s César Montes late in the game.
What happened in South Korea’s first match at World Cup 2026?
South Korea came from behind to beat Czech Republic 2-1 in their Group A opener. Hwang Inbeom equalised in the 67th minute and Oh Hyeongyu scored the winner in the 80th minute after the Czech Republic had taken the lead through a Ladislav Krejčí header.
What is the Mexico vs South Korea World Cup head-to-head record?
Mexico have a perfect record against South Korea at World Cups, winning 2-1 in 2018 in Russia. Overall across all competitions, the sides have met 14 times, with South Korea also recording victories at the 2006 World Cup and the 2001 FIFA Confederations Cup.
What group are Mexico and South Korea in at World Cup 2026?
Both sides are in Group A alongside Czech Republic and South Africa. After Match Day 1, Mexico and South Korea are both on three points, while Czech Republic and South Africa have zero.
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