*This content was translated by AI.
The air in Monterrey, where the decisive group stage match will determine the fate of Hong Myung-bo's team, is clearly different from that in Guadalajara, where the first two matches were played. Monterrey is already signaling a completely different environment, starting with the weather.
The South Korean national football team will face South Africa in the third group stage match of the 2026 FIFA CONCACAF World Cup at Estadio BBVA at 10 a.m. (Korean time) on the 25th.
Currently holding one win and one loss, Hong Myung-bo's team will secure second place in the group and advance to the round of 32 with just a draw against South Africa. However, a defeat could see them drop to fourth place in the group, behind Czechia (currently one draw and one loss) and South Africa.
The team arrived in Guadalajara on the 5th (local time). After their second match against Mexico on the 18th, they conducted recovery training at their base camp, Chivas Verde Valle, on the 19th, took a full day of rest on the 20th, trained on the morning of the 21st, and arrived in Monterrey at 3:35 p.m. on the 22nd.
The press corps arrived at Monterrey airport about an hour earlier. The atmosphere changed as soon as the plane door opened. Unlike Guadalajara, which was relatively cool despite concerns, Monterrey felt intensely hot with a scorching wind.
While not humid, the sunlight was undeniably intense. Today's forecast predicts a high of 32 degrees and a low of 23 degrees, with hot weather continuing. According to locals, Monterrey saw daytime temperatures exceed 40 degrees just a few days ago. The weather turned unpredictable on the 19th and 20th, with hail pouring down.
The moment they stepped off the runway and outside the airport, a suffocating heat enveloped their entire bodies. For the squad, already accustomed to the pleasant highland climate of Guadalajara, this sudden environmental shift has become their first major challenge. Although a draw would guarantee a spot in the tournament, how quickly they can adapt to these climatic variables will be the key factor determining the outcome of the match against South Africa.
Most importantly, the conditions inevitably lead to extreme physical exhaustion. The base temperature is already high, and the weather remains unpredictable, with hail falling just two days ago. To maintain high-intensity pressure and mobility for 90 minutes under Monterrey's scorching sun, strict pace management and hydration control during the match are essential.
For the national team, which expended immense energy in a fierce battle against host nation Mexico, Monterrey's extreme climate itself is expected to become a more formidable opponent than South Africa.
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*This content was translated by AI.
