South Korea Completes Standard Closed Training Session in Mexico Ahead of World Cup Opener vs Czechia

South Korea conducted a closed-door training session at Chivas Verde Valle in Zapopan, Mexico, on June 9, 2026. The Korea Football Association did not make any player available for media interviews during the session. Head coach Hong Myung-bo ran the 90-minute workout, which focused on set pieces, attacking tactics, and defending tactics, a KFA official said.

The training facility was heavily guarded by armed military personnel and police officers, with members of Mexico's National Guard also on duty around the site. South Korean players had trained at the same venue the previous day, June 8. Teams are typically allowed one day of closed training in the lead-up to the World Cup, while other sessions may open the first 15 minutes to media.

M. m. Friday South Korean time. The match is the team's Group A opener in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. On the eve of the match, the team will hold its official prematch press conference with the head coach and one player, walk on the pitch at Estadio Guadalajara, and then return to Chivas Verde Valle for a media-open training session.

U.S. training camp but did not look particularly sharp on set pieces in those games. After the second friendly, Hong Myung-bo said he did not want to reveal too much of his set-piece plans and planned to work on them in Mexico.

Defending set pieces will also be important against Czechia, with several of that team's outfield players listed at 190 centimeters or taller.