World Cup 26: Home magic as Mexico makes knockouts, Canada first win SEOUL, June 19 (AJP) - The second round of group matches at the 2026 FIFA World Cup began to sharpen the picture in Groups A and B on Thursday local time, or Friday in Korea. Mexico became the first of the tournament’s 48 teams to secure a place in the knockout stage, while Canada earned the first World Cup win in its history and Switzerland also surged in Group B. South Korea, meanwhile, lost 1-0 to Mexico and pushed their knockout-stage fate to the final group match again June 19, 2026

World Cup 26: Korea's fate hinges on match with South Africa SEOUL, June 19 (AJP) - South Korea's 1-0 defeat to Mexico was not fatal. But it exposed a weakness that Hong Myung-bo's side must fix quickly: when opponents shut down Lee Kang-in and Hwang In-beom, Korea struggles to build attacks and loses its identity. That makes next week's match against South Africa a de facto knockout game. South Korea fell 1-0 to Mexico in their second Group A match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Friday morning (Korea time) after Luis Romo capit June 19, 2026

World Cup 26: Korea falls to Mexico after second-half error SEOUL, June 19 (AJP) - South Korea lost 1-0 to Mexico in their second Group A match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Friday morning in Korea, leaving their knockout-stage fate to the final group match against South Africa. Mexico scored the only goal early in the second half, when Luis Romo reacted first after goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu failed to hold the ball inside the box. South Korea must beat South Africa in their final group match to guarantee a top-two finish in Group A, while June 19, 2026

World Cup 26: Korea hold Mexico scoreless at halftime SEOUL, June 19 (AJP) - South Korea and Mexico were locked at 0-0 at halftime in their Group A match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Friday morning in Korea, with both sides pressing aggressively but struggling to create clear chances. The match kicked off at Guadalajara Stadium in Zapopan, Mexico, at 10 a.m. Friday in Korea, or 9 p.m. Thursday local time. South Korea started with Kim Seung-gyu in goal, with Lee Han-beom, Kim Min-jae, Kim Moon-hwan, Lee Gi-hyuk and Seol Young-woo ac June 19, 2026

World Cup 26: Seoul holds breath for showdown with Mexico SEOUL, June 19 (AJP) -Thousands converged on viewing spots across the capital on Friday morning as Seoul held its breath for South Korea's pivotal World Cup showdown with Mexico on the hosts' home turf, with an early berth in the Round of 32 at stake. From Gwanghwamun Square to Gangnam Station, office workers took half-days off, foreign tourists joined supporters waving national flags and giant outdoor screens replaced computer monitors as the city briefly shi June 19, 2026

World Cup 26: Mokoena penalty earns South Africa draw against Czechia SEOUL, June 19 (AJP) - Teboho Mokoena converted a late penalty to earn South Africa a 1-1 draw against Czechia in a Group A match at Atlanta Stadium on Thursday, denying the Czechs a win they had looked capable of holding for most of the game. Czechia took the lead in the sixth minute through Michal Sadílek and protected the lead for more than 75 minutes before a handball by substitute Pavel Šulc inside the area handed South Africa a way back into the match. Mokoena June 19, 2026

World Cup 26: Korea seek win over Mexico to tighten grip on Group A SEOUL, June 18 (AJP) - South Korea face Mexico on Friday morning in Korea with a chance to move closer to the Round of 32, though the calculation will first be shaped by the result between Czechia and South Africa. South Korea and Mexico both opened Group A with wins. Mexico beat South Africa 2-0 in the tournament opener, while South Korea defeated Czechia 2-1. That left the two sides level on three points, with Mexico ahead on goal difference. The match kicks off at Guadalaja June 18, 2026

World Cup 26: Portugal stumble, England respond in style SEOUL, June 18 (AJP) - Portugal opened their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign with a flat draw against DR Congo on Wednesday local time, or Thursday in Korea, while England answered doubts with a convincing victory. Ghana beat Panama with a stoppage-time winner, while Colombia overpowered an inexperienced Uzbekistan side to take early control of Group K. Portugal were held 1-1 by DR Congo at Houston Stadium in Houston, Texas, in one of the most disappointing performances by a major c June 18, 2026

Korean Wave's expanding global impact highlighted in Paris SEOUL, June 18 (AJP) - Government officials and industry leaders gathered this week in France to discuss the global popularity of South Korean films and dramas, American streaming giant Netflix said on Thursday. The gathering, attended by officials from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Creative Content Agency, took place at the Palais des Congrès de Paris on Tuesday as part of an event marking the 140th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Kor June 18, 2026

World Cup 26: Europe sweeps, Asia holds ground, Messi lifts South America SEOUL, June 17 (AJP) - Europe restored order at the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Tuesday local time, or Wednesday in Korea, as France, Norway and Austria all won their opening matches while Asia’s unbeaten start came to an end. Argentina also gave South America its first win of the tournament, with Lionel Messi delivering a record-tying hat trick in a victory over Algeria. The day marked a sharp turn from the early group-stage pattern, when Asian teams had gone unbeaten and South June 17, 2026