Football fans—and even many non-fans—are already playing their own match on social media before the referee blows the whistle on June 18 in Guadalajara.
Mexicans have been sharing creative memes comparing Banda Tierra Sagrada vs. BTS, Maruchan vs. ramen, and La Rosa de Guadalupe vs. K-dramas across X and TikTok ahead of the Mexico vs. South Korea match.
The trend has its roots in Mexico’s large K-pop community. For millions of Mexican fans, South Korea is not just a football rival; it is also the home of their favorite artists, TV dramas, and cuisine. The World Cup match has created a playful clash of identities that the internet has turned into humor.
A Friendship Born in Russia 2018
The friendship between the two countries began on June 27, 2018, in Kazan.
That day, South Korea defeated Germany 2-0 in the final match of Group F at the 2018 World Cup, eliminating the defending champions and helping Mexico qualify for the Round of 16.
Images of Mexican fans celebrating with South Koreans quickly went viral. One iconic moment showed Mexican supporters carrying the South Korean ambassador on their shoulders outside the embassy in Mexico City while chanting:
“Korean brother, you’re Mexican now!”
Previous Meetings
The two national teams have met several times:
- France 1998: Mexico came from behind to win 3-1.
- Russia 2018: Mexico won 2-1 with goals from Carlos Vela and Javier “Chicharito” Hernández.
- Tokyo 2021 Olympics: Mexico defeated South Korea 6-3 in the quarterfinals.
- September 10, 2025: The teams drew 2-2 in a friendly match.
Guadalajara Welcomes South Korean Fans
During the opening days of the 2026 World Cup, Guadalajara received one of the largest groups of South Korean supporters ever to visit Mexico for a sporting event.
Videos of Korean fans dancing to “Gangnam Style” in taco restaurants, trying birria and tortas ahogadas, and exploring the city’s historic areas quickly spread across social media.
Tequila became a cultural bridge between both fan bases. Many South Korean visitors said they wanted to try the famous drink in its birthplace, while Mexican fans welcomed them enthusiastically, often jokingly chanting “BTS! BTS!”
When Is Mexico vs. South Korea?
📅 June 18, 2026
🕖 7:00 PM (Central Mexico Time)
📍 Guadalajara Stadium
Both teams enter the match with three points after winning their opening games.
Mexico defeated South Africa 2-0 with goals from Julián Quiñones and Raúl Jiménez, although defender César Montes was sent off and will miss the South Korea match.
South Korea came from behind to defeat the Czech Republic 2-1, thanks to goals from Hwang In-beom and Oh Hyeon-gyu. Star players Son Heung-min and Lee Kang-in are expected to lead the team again.
What’s at Stake?
- If Mexico wins: It secures a place in the Round of 16 with six points.
- If South Korea wins: It moves to the top of the group and comes close to qualification.
- If they draw: Both teams reach four points, leaving qualification undecided until the final group match.
What began as a football rivalry has become one of the friendliest international relationships of the tournament, making Mexico vs. South Korea one of the most anticipated matches of the 2026 World Cup.
Source: infobae
