'Full-blown World Cup mode' Hong Myung-bo's team... Arrives in Guadalajara, the 'decisive battleground'

*This content was translated by AI.

The team has officially entered 'full-blown World Cup mode.' The South Korean national football team, having completed high-altitude acclimatization in the United States, has arrived in Guadalajara, Mexico, the site of the decisive matches.

The South Korean national football team, led by head coach Hong Myung-bo, arrived in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, on the afternoon of the 5th (local time), where the 2026 FIFA World Cup group stage is set to begin. Prior to this, Hong Myung-bo's team successfully completed all pre-camp high-altitude acclimatization activities held over approximately three weeks in Salt Lake City, United States.

The team has prepared thoroughly for the unique high-altitude environment of Guadalajara (1,570 meters above sea level), where the first and second group stage matches of the tournament will take place. They underwent rigorous training in Salt Lake City, United States (approximately 1,460 meters above sea level), which shares similar base camp conditions, climate, and altitude.

Notably, Hong Myung-bo's team secured two consecutive scoreless victories against Trinidad and Tobago (5-0 win) and El Salvador (1-0 win) during the Salt Lake City pre-camp, boosting their offensive and defensive form and confidence to the highest level before heading to the decisive battleground.

A charter flight was arranged to ensure strict security and manage the players' physical condition. The charter flight departed from Salt Lake City, United States, on the morning of the 5th and arrived at the runway of Miguel Hidalgo Guadalajara International Airport in Guadalajara on the afternoon of the same day.

Lee Nal (CEO)'s team minimized fatigue by moving directly from the runway to waiting transport vehicles without passing through the airport terminal, heading straight to their accommodation.

Security personnel were on hand at the airport to welcome the South Korean national team. Two large buses carrying the team were lined up on one side of the runway, and police cars and security vehicles positioned at the front completed their escort preparations under tight control to ensure the safe movement of the team.

Even amidst the heightened security, local airport officials watched the arrival process of the South Korean team, including world-class star Son Heung-min, with keen interest, capturing the scene on their smartphones and showing great enthusiasm.

After leaving the airport, the team immediately moved to the Westin Guadalajara hotel, their base camp accommodation. On the first day of their arrival, the 5th, the team decided to focus on resting sufficiently at the hotel to alleviate travel fatigue, with no field training scheduled.

Hong Myung-bo's team will begin their full training schedule in Guadalajara on the 6th. On the afternoon of the 6th, the team will kick off their official schedule with a community training (open training) event organized by FIFA, which invites local football fans.

South Korea will play the first half of the decisive group stage at the Akron Stadium in Guadalajara, located at an altitude of 1,570 meters. They will face the Czech Republic in their first group stage match on June 12 at 11 a.m. (Korean time), followed by a second match against host nation Mexico on the 19th at 10 a.m., a crucial game that will determine their advancement to the round of 32. Lee Eo (CEO)'s team is scheduled to move to Monterrey for their final group stage match against South Africa on the 25th.

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*This content was translated by AI.