S. Korea Coach Confident In Team's World Cup Preparation

APOPAN (Mexico), June 11  (Yonhap) -- On the eve of his team's first match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, South Korea head coach Hong Myung-bo said on Wednesday that he was confident in the level of his players' preparation, Yonhap News Agency reported.

South Korea will face Czechia to begin Group A play at 8 pm on Thursday at Estadio Guadalajara in Zapopan, near Guadalajara. Kick-off is at 11 am on Friday (South Korean time).

"The World Cup is a dream-come-true moment for football players. I feel like we have left no stone unturned in our preparation for this competition," Hong said at the pre-match press conference at Estadio Guadalajara. "I hope that our players' sacrifices, dedication and struggles together will all pay off in tomorrow's match and lead to a good result. Overall, I think they are in good form, and I think we're fully ready."

At No. 25 in the latest FIFA rankings, South Korea will be favoured over 41st-ranked Czechia. Hong said there was a great deal of optimism within the camp ahead of the opening match, with the starting XI already set in his mind.

"Not only is this our first match of the tournament, I believe this will be the first time we're playing on the opening day of a World Cup," Hong said. "The eyes of the world will be upon us, and I hope the players will stay composed. Though I can't reveal our plans, we will have our own set of plans for tomorrow's match."

Hong also said he was pleased with the way his players had adapted to playing at high altitude. With two of their three Group A matches scheduled at Estadio Guadalajara, about 1,500 metres above sea level, South Korea trained in another high-altitude city, Salt Lake City, Utah, for about three weeks beginning in mid-May. They also played two friendly matches there.

"We began checking data on players from the start of our US camp, and they had some difficulties early on," Hong said. "By now, everyone is fully acclimatised. I don't know what kind of results this will bring, but I think our players will feel assured and confident that their bodies are adjusted to the thin air. I am quite satisfied with their data."

Hong said he had already spoken to the players on many occasions and might not need to deliver any special pep talk on match day, though it would depend on the mood within the squad.

Hong, 57, played at four World Cups and is now coaching at his second World Cup. He described his first stint on the bench, at the 2014 tournament in Brazil, as a "failure" after South Korea recorded one draw and two defeats and were eliminated in the group stage.

"I'm so honoured to be here. I think I've prepared for this World Cup really well by building on my past experience," he said. "I can't predict results, but I have created an environment where the players can enjoy themselves and compete with energy. That's what's important to me, and that's a positive for the team."

-- BERNAMA-YONHAP