SEOUL, June 12 (AJP) — South Korea's 2026 FIFA World Cup journey began not in Mexico but in the heart of Seoul on Friday, where office workers in red jerseys streamed into Gwanghwamun Square carrying coffee cups, national flags and hopes of a winning start against Czechia.
Hours before kickoff at Guadalajara Stadium, the broad plaza beneath the statue of King Sejong was already buzzing with chants, K-pop music and the rhythmic beat of drums as supporters gathered for one of the most unusual World Cup watch parties in recent memory.
The result was a distinctly Korean World Cup scene: employees taking annual leave, workers sneaking out on half-days and groups of colleagues arriving in shirts and ties before settling in front of giant screens.
By 10 a.m., police estimated about 1.000 to 2,000 people had gathered at Gwanghwamun. Organizers — the Korea Football Association, KT and supporters' group Red Devils — expect as many as 6,000 supporters by kickoff.
The square was divided into six viewing zones stretching from the KT headquarters building to the statue of King Sejong. Giant screens towered over the crowd while event booths offered giveaways and photo opportunities.
Volunteers handed out bottled water as temperatures climbed toward 30 degrees Celsius.
Kim Eui-hyun, 20-something resident from Pyeongtaek, exclaimed: "I'm excited because I finally get to experience the kind of World Cup street cheering I was too young to enjoy during the 2002 World Cup.
"I'm also very happy to be part of what could be Son Heung-min's last World Cup. I came here today with three friends. The weather is really hot, and I thought it might be tough, but I'm glad I made the trip," she said, adding "I think Korea will beat Czechia 2-1."
Kim Dong-eon, 37, salary worker in Seoul, said he has taken a day off. "I don't regret it at all. It's been a long time since I've joined a mass street cheering event like this. I don't think I've experienced anything quite like it since the 2002 World Cup."
Adding to the festival atmosphere, CORTIS, a fast-rising K-pop boy band under Hybe label touted by fans as a potential successor to BTS, performed on the main stage before kickoff. Hundreds roared as the group energized the crowd at the very square where BTS staged a high-profile comeback event earlier this year.
Some fans admitted they had come primarily for the performance. "I came to see CORTIS, but I'll stay for the whole match," shouted a 19-year-old university student who had secured a spot near the front of the stage. "I arrived early, but there were already so many people."
Across the Han River in Seoul's financial district of Yeouido, Korea Investment & Securities transformed a plaza into a temporary football arena. Organizers estimated 300 to 400 people had gathered by mid-morning, with attendance expected to reach 1,200 as lunch hour approached.
Open-air viewing stages were also set up in cities nationwide, turning a weekday morning into a de facto national sporting holiday.
On the field, South Korea unveiled the star-studded lineup many supporters had hoped to see.
A goal would carry added significance for Son. The 33-year-old is playing in his fourth World Cup and can become South Korea's outright leading scorer in tournament history with his fourth World Cup goal, surpassing Park Ji-sung and Ahn Jung-hwan.
Behind the attacking trio, Hwang In-beom of Feyenoord and Paik Seung-ho of Birmingham City were expected to control midfield.
Head coach Hong Myung-bo also stayed faithful to the three-man defensive system he has spent the past year refining.
Lee Tae-seok of First Vienna FC and Seol Young-woo of Red Star Belgrade started as wing-backs, while Lee Ki-hyeok of Gangwon FC, Bayern Munich defender Kim Min-jae and FC Midtjylland's Lee Han-beom formed the back line in front of goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu of FC Tokyo.
The Czechia arrived with a formidable lineup of its own.
Manager Miroslav Koubek handed Bayer Leverkusen striker Patrik Schick the responsibility of leading the attack, supported by Pavel Šulc and Lukáš Provod. Captain Tomáš Souček anchored midfield, while West Ham United defender Vladimír Coufal lined up at wing-back.
As kickoff approached, chants of "Dae-Han-Min-Guk" echoed through Gwanghwamun and Yeouido, rising above traffic noise and office towers.
For a few hours on a Thursday morning, South Korea's business districts were transformed into football stadiums — and an entire nation paused work to watch whether Hong's generation could take its first step toward another World Cup run.
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