Son Heung-min of the Korean national team arrives in Guadalajara (Guadalajara [Mexico]=Yonhap News) Reporter Choi Jae-goo = Son Heung-min of the Korean national football team is arriving at the team's lodging in Guadalajara, Mexico, where the first group stage match of the 2026 North, Central American and Caribbean World Cup will be held on the 6th. 2026.6.6 jjaeck9@yna.co.kr

"Sonaldo! Korea!"

The Taegeuk Warriors, warmly welcomed by about 500 fans, have arrived in Guadalajara, Mexico, the venue for the 2026 North, Central American and Caribbean World Cup and their base camp.

The Korean national football team, led by coach Hong Myung-bo, arrived at their accommodation, The Westin Guadalajara Hotel, around 4 p.m. on the 5th (local time).

The area in front of the hotel entrance had been bustling for about four hours before the Taegeuk Warriors arrived.

Around lunchtime, about 100 fans secured good vantage points and waited.

Fans waiting for Hong Myung-bo's team [Photo by Ahn Hong-seok]

The atmosphere heated up when news spread that the team's plane had landed at Guadalajara International Airport around 2:50 p.m.

Local residents in red jerseys and Mexican football fans lined the route where the team bus was to arrive.

As time passed, the second-floor railing of Expo Guadalajara, a convention facility opposite the hotel, was also densely packed with fans.

Korean national team arrives in Guadalajara, Mexico (Guadalajara [Mexico]=Yonhap News) Reporter Ryu Young-seok = The Korean national football team is arriving at the team's lodging in Guadalajara, Mexico, where the first group stage match of the 2026 North, Central American and Caribbean World Cup will be held on the 6th. 2026.6.6 ondol@yna.co.kr

Although Korea is an 'opponent' for Mexico in the group stage, no hostility was evident in the faces of the Guadalajara fans. Instead, they seemed to regard them as honored guests.

Korea and Mexico have a deep connection on the World Cup stage.

Thanks to Korea's "Miracle of Kazan" against Germany in the final group stage match of the 2018 Russia World Cup, Mexico, in the same group, miraculously finished second and advanced to the Round of 16.

Jacqueline's son and daughter [Photo by Ahn Hong-seok]

Jacqueline, a mother who brought her elementary school-aged son and daughter, who are sports enthusiasts learning disciplines like triathlon, said, "My son loves football so much that I came to welcome them. Everyone in Mexico remembers that Korea helped Mexico in the World Cup eight years ago."

The player most welcomed by the Mexican fans was none other than the legendary striker Son Heung-min (LAFC).

Son Heung-min was also the scorer of the winning goal that defeated Germany in the Russia tournament. Eight years ago, Son Heung-min was a 'savior' to Mexico.

Daniela and her mother Adriana [Photo by Ahn Hong-seok]

Daniela, a teenage girl who came with her mother to see Son Heung-min, said with a bright smile, "I like Korea, and the Korean national football team is coming to my neighborhood, so I rushed over. My favorite player is, of course, Sonaldo."

As the bus arrived, the Korean residents chanted "Dae~han Minguk!" and the local fans shouted "Corea!" in welcome.

Led by Lee Dong-gyeong (Ulsan), the Taegeuk Warriors disembarked from the bus one by one and disappeared into the hotel entrance, adorned with the Korea Football Association's World Cup slogan, "Reds United Beyond Limits."

Mexican fans preparing welcome placards [Photo by Ahn Hong-seok]

'The main character' descended last, as expected.

When Son Heung-min appeared, the atmosphere reached its peak. Everyone shouted "Sonaldo!"

Hotel staff looked concerned about any potential safety incidents.

There were no autographs or fan services at all.

Some fans who tried to get autographs or give gifts to their favorite players looked disappointed. From somewhere, a voice was heard shouting in Korean, "Why did you even come if you're going to be like this!"

Team support slogans at The Westin Hotel [Photo by Ahn Hong-seok]

The Taegeuk Warriors will rest well and conduct a FIFA-organized 'Community Training' at 3 p.m. the following day at the Chivas Verde Valle, their base camp training ground.

This training event is similar to the open training sessions that the Football Association holds for fans during domestic A-matches. (Yonhap News)