'A Staggering 4 Draws and 7 Losses': The Ruthless Curse That Has Plagued Korea Is Here — A '2nd Match Draw' Must Be Broken to Make History for the First Time

*This content was translated by AI.

The second match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America, against Mexico, is just two days away. This match is highly likely to determine the top spot in Group A. For Korea, it is a stage where they must break the 'World Cup second-match draw curse,' a record of 4 draws and 7 losses, never having won once in history. Breaking this curse would rewrite Korean football history anew.

The South Korean national football team, led by coach Hong Myung-bo, will face Mexico in the second group stage match of the North American World Cup Group A at Guadalajara Stadium in Zapopan, Mexico, at 10 a.m. (Korean time) on the 19th. Prior to this, Korea defeated Czechia 2-1, and Mexico defeated South Africa 2-0, each securing three points before facing one another.

This is no easy opponent. According to the June FIFA rankings released on the 11th, Korea is ranked 25th, while Mexico is 14th, a gap of 11 positions. In their all-time head-to-head record, Korea trails with 4 wins, 3 draws, and 8 losses. The last time Korea defeated Mexico was in a friendly match in February 2006. Since then, they have recorded 1 draw and 3 losses, remaining winless in four consecutive matches. Even in a friendly match held in the United States in September last year as part of preparations for this World Cup, the teams drew 2-2. During the 2018 Russia World Cup, they met on the main stage, where Korea lost 1-2.

Moreover, Mexico is a co-host of this World Cup. It is highly likely that the Guadalajara Stadium, which can accommodate nearly 50,000 spectators, will be filled with enthusiastic Mexican fans. Korea must not only face Mexico but also contend with one-sided support for the opposing team. There are more than a few challenges to overcome.

Furthermore, Korea has a 'curse' of never having won a second group stage match in World Cup history. The record stands at 4 draws and 7 losses, with a recent four-match losing streak. Starting with a 0-7 crushing defeat to Turkey in their first World Cup appearance in 1954, followed by a 0-5 loss to the Netherlands (1998 France tournament), a 1-4 loss to Argentina (2010 South Africa tournament), and a 2-4 loss to Algeria (2014 Brazil tournament), all occurred in the second group stage matches. The loss to Mexico during the 2018 Russia tournament was also in the second match. The 'possibility' that never failed to appear in every World Cup was also heavily influenced by poor performance in the second match.

However, if the Korean team can break the 'second-match draw curse' in this World Cup, coach Hong Myung-bo's squad could rewrite Korean football history anew.

If they secure victories against both Czechia and Mexico, coach Hong's team will become the first in history to achieve two consecutive wins in the World Cup group stage. Furthermore, they will move to the top of the group by surpassing Mexico. Depending on the results of the earlier matches against Czechia and South Africa, they could secure at least second place in the group and confirm their advancement from the group stage early, regardless of the outcome of the final match. This too would be a historic first for Korean football.

Of course, Mexico is not an easy opponent, but the prevailing assessment is that it is 'worth a try.' They broke the three-match losing streak against Mexico by drawing 2-2 in a friendly match held in the United States last September. Son Heung-min (LAFC, 1 goal), Oh Hyeon-gyu (Besiktas, 1 goal, 1 assist), and Lee Kang-in (Paris Saint-Germain, 1 assist), who scored attacking points at that time, remain key players for coach Hong's team. Even then, they achieved a draw despite the absence of Hwang In-beom (Feyenoord) and Lee Jae-sung (Mainz) due to injuries.

While the core of the opposing defense, Cesar Montes (Lokomotiv Moscow), cannot participate in the match against Korea due to the aftermath of his red card in the South Africa match, making defensive changes inevitable, coach Hong's team has the positive factor of all injured players, including Bae Jun-ho (Stoke City) and Kim Tae-hyun (Kashima Antlers), returning to full strength. With morale boosted by the victory against Czechia, if they can also defeat Mexico and write a new history, the entire challenge of coach Hong's team in this North American World Cup could gain even more momentum.

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*This content was translated by AI.