*This content was translated by AI.
The 'unified best 11' of the South Korean and Mexican national football teams ahead of their Group A second-round match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America has been unveiled.
Football content platform MadFootball selected and revealed the best 11 composed of players from both teams on the 18th (Korean time), one day before their matchup.
As of June, FIFA rankings place South Korea at 25th and Mexico at 14th, with Mexico holding the advantage as the host nation; yet, the unified best 11 featured more South Korean players.
In attack, Son Heung-min (LAFC) takes the central role, with Julian Quiñones (Al-Khaleej) and Roberto Alvarado (Chivas) positioned on the left and right flanks, respectively.
In midfield, Hwang In-beom (Feyenoord), Lee Kang-in (Paris Saint-Germain), and midfielder Erick Lira (Cruz Azul) are stationed.
The defense is anchored by Kim Min-jae (Bayern Munich) and Lee Han-beom (Midtjylland) in central defense, with Jesus Gallardo (Toluca) and Israel Reyes (Club América) as left and right fullbacks. The goalkeeper is Kim Seung-gyu (FC Tokyo).
On the 15th, the platform also unveiled a unified best 11 comprising players from all four teams in Group A: South Korea, Mexico, Czech Republic, and South Africa.
At that time, Oh Hyeon-gyu (Besiktas JK) was positioned as the central striker instead of Son Heung-min. Oh scored in the Group A first-round match against Czech Republic.
However, in the newly announced South Korea-Mexico unified best 11, Son Heung-min replaced Oh Hyeon-gyu, and Lee Tae-seok (Austria Vienna), who had been included in the Group A all-star best 11, was omitted. Instead, center-back Lee Han-beom and goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu filled the spots in the South Korea-Mexico unified best 11.
The match between South Korea and Mexico will be held at Guadalajara Stadium in Zapopan, Mexico, at 10 a.m. on the 19th. Both teams currently have three points (one win), but Mexico leads the group due to a superior goal difference.
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*This content was translated by AI.
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