Mexico vs South Korea: All time Head-to-head records ahead of FIFA World Cup 2026

Mexico have historically enjoyed the upper hand in this fixture, winning seven of the 11 meetings between the two nations.

A fascinating contest awaits in Group A of the FIFA World Cup 2026 as Mexico and South Korea prepare to meet in a match that could have a significant impact on the race for the knockout stages.

Both nations enjoyed positive starts to their campaigns, with Mexico defeating South Africa 2-0 and South Korea securing a 2-1 victory over Czechia. Another win would place either side in a commanding position ahead of the final round of group-stage fixtures.

Mexico arrive with a rich World Cup pedigree and the advantage of playing on home soil, while South Korea are looking to build on their reputation as one of Asia’s most consistent performers on football’s biggest stage.

With both teams carrying momentum into the encounter, fans can expect a fiercely contested battle between two nations that have shared several memorable meetings over the years. Although they represent different confederations, Mexico and South Korea have crossed paths regularly since the 1980s.

Their rivalry has featured friendly matches, FIFA World Cup encounters, the FIFA Confederations Cup and even a meeting at the CONCACAF Gold Cup.

Mexico vs South Korea: head-to-head record

Mexico and South Korea have faced each other 11 times in international football. El Tri hold a clear advantage in the rivalry, having won seven matches compared to South Korea’s two victories. The remaining two encounters ended in draws. Mexico have also been the more prolific side in front of goal, scoring 23 times while conceding 10. The rivalry has included two FIFA World Cup meetings, both of which were won by Mexico.

Those victories have helped strengthen their dominance in the fixture and will undoubtedly provide confidence heading into the latest chapter of the rivalry.

The first recorded meeting between the two nations came in February 1981, when Mexico secured a convincing 4-0 victory.

Over the following decade, Mexico continued to enjoy success against South Korea, winning three consecutive encounters between 1981 and 1989.

During that period, El Tri scored 12 goals across four matches, establishing themselves as the stronger side in the rivalry’s early years.

South Korea would gradually close the gap as their footballing development accelerated throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, leading to several more competitive encounters.

Also Read: Preview: Mexico vs South Korea prediction, odds, where to watch, time | FIFA World Cup 2026

World Cup meetings

The rivalry’s most significant meetings have taken place at the FIFA World Cup.Their first World Cup encounter came during the 1998 edition in France.

Mexico emerged victorious by a 3-1 scoreline after producing a strong second-half performance. The result helped El Tri progress from the group stage, while South Korea exited the tournament without a victory.

Twenty years later, the two sides met again at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. Mexico once again prevailed, securing a 2-1 victory thanks to goals from Carlos Vela and Javier Hernández. Son Heung-min scored a late consolation goal for South Korea, but it was not enough to prevent another Mexican triumph.

Those victories mean Mexico remain unbeaten against South Korea in FIFA World Cup competition.

Despite Mexico’s overall dominance, South Korea have enjoyed some memorable successes of their own.Their first victory arrived during the 2001 FIFA Confederations Cup, where the Taegeuk Warriors secured a 2-1 win on home soil.

Five years later, South Korea recorded another impressive result by defeating Mexico 1-0 in an international friendly.Those remain South Korea’s only victories in the fixture and serve as a reminder that they are more than capable of causing problems for El Tri when at their best.

• Matches played: 11
• Mexico wins: 7
• South Korea wins: 2
• Draws: 2
• Goals scored by Mexico: 23
• Goals scored by South Korea: 10

Mexico vs South Korea : Results of all previous fixtures

• 10 February 1981 – Mexico 4-0 South Korea (Friendly)
• 3 December 1985 – South Korea 1-2 Mexico (Friendly)
• 10 December 1985 – Mexico 2-1 South Korea (Friendly)
• 10 August 1989 – Mexico 4-2 South Korea (Friendly)
• 13 June 1998 – South Korea 1-3 Mexico (FIFA World Cup)
• 12 June 1999 – South Korea 1-1 Mexico (Friendly)
• 1 June 2001 – South Korea 2-1 Mexico (FIFA Confederations Cup)
• 27 January 2002 – Mexico 0-0 South Korea (CONCACAF Gold Cup)
• 15 February 2006 – Mexico 0-1 South Korea (Friendly)
• 30 January 2014 – Mexico 4-0 South Korea (Friendly)
• 23 June 2018 – South Korea 1-2 Mexico (FIFA World Cup)

Can Asian powerhouse South Korea pull off a big upset against hosts Mexico in Guadalajara?

Positioned on the edge of the scenic Santiago River basin, Guadalajara Stadium in Mexico gears up to host a highly anticipated Group A fixture of Matchweek 2 in the FIFA World Cup 2026, where hosts Mexico take on Asian powerhouse South Korea in what is set to be a thrilling battle.

A win in the next game could almost guarantee a spot in the knockout rounds for both teams, as both teams are coming after winning their first match of the FIFA World Cup 2026.

The hosts, Mexico, are coming after a brilliant 2-0 win over South Korea in the opening fixture of the FIFA World Cup 2026, courtesy of goals from Julián Quiñones and Raul Jiménez. A win in the next game could almost guarantee their place at the summit of Group A.

After making it to the knockout rounds for seven consecutive editions, El Tri failed to advance past the group stages for the first time in nearly five decades, and now they would be keen to make the most of their home advantage against South Korea.

They are led by Mexican gaffer Javier Aguirre, who took over the reins in 2024 and has previously been at the helm of teams like Atletico Madrid, Japan and Egypt national team.

Talking about South Korea, the Taegeuk Warriors failed to advance past the group stage when they last played in the World Cup twice in American soil in 1994 USA and 1986 Mexico. But decades later, things look very different, as they are coming after a 2-1 comeback win over Czechia in the opening game.

They are led by Korean gaffer Myung-Bo Hong, who has extensive experience playing in North America during his time as a player for the Los Angeles Galaxy in the Major League Soccer.

World Cups have a habit of producing unforgettable moments, and this encounter has all the ingredients to be another memorable chapter. With talented players spread across the pitch and little room for error, fans can expect an entertaining battle between two teams eager to make their mark in the FIFA World Cup 2026.

Kick-off:

• Location: Zapopan, Jalisco, Mexico
• Stadium: Guadalajara Stadium (Estadio Akron)
• Date: Thursday, June 18
• Kick-off time: 1 a.m. BST [6:30 a.m. IST, Friday, June 19 / 7 p.m. local CST]
• Referee: TBD
• VAR: In use

Form:

Mexico (in all competitions): D-W-W-W-W

South Korea (in all competitions): L-L-W-W-W

Players to Watch

Raul Jimenez (Mexico)

Jimenez was in tears after scoring Mexico’s second goal against South Africa in the opening fixture of the FIFA World Cup 2026 and raised his arms to the heavens, dedicating a special goal to his father, who passed away a few months ago.

Jimenez had a decent spell with London outfit Fulham in the English Premier League. Despite Wolves’ relegation to the Championship, he made a move back to Molineux Park recently.

This is Raul Jimenez’s fourth FIFA World Cup appearance, and he is a veteran who knows how to find goals and is one of the most clinical strikers in the Mexican team.

Son Heung Min (South Korea)

Unarguably one of the greatest South Koreans to ever play the beautiful game of football, Son is a living legend, who spent almost a decade in Tottenham Hotspur before winning the UEFA Europa League and making a move to Los Angeles FC.

Son is coming after a productive spell with Los Angeles FC in the Major League Soccer, making 17 goal contributions in just over 20 games.

Son is lethal from the edge of the penalty area, and in his early thirties, he still has that zeal and pace to beat young full-backs. Captain Son will be keen to pull a big upset against the hosts and secure a knockout berth for the Taegeuk Warriors.

Match Facts

• These two sides met twice at the World Cup and Mexico won both the games.
• The last meeting between these two sides ended in a 2-2 draw
• Ricardo Pelaez is the leading goal scorer in this fixture.

Mexico vs South Korea: Betting Tips and Odds

• Match to end in a draw – 9/4 with Betfred
• Heung Min Son to score – 5/2 with Betfred
• Mexico 2-2 South Korea – 18/1 with Betfred

Injury and Team News

Cesar Montes picked up a red card in the last game and will be out for the next game. Captain Edson Alvarez will be the primary choice to replace Montes in the next game.

Tae-hyeon Kim and Joon-ho Bae is doubtful for the next game due to injury concerns.

Head-to-Head

Total games: 15

Mexico won: 08

South Korea won: 05

Games drawn: 02

Predicted Lineups

Mexico predicted lineup (4-2-3-1)

Raúl Rangel (GK); Israel Reyes, Edson Álvarez, Johan Vásquez, Jesús Gallardo; Érik Lira; Brian Gutiérrez, Roberto Alvarado, Álvaro Fidalgo, Julián Quiñones; Raul Jiménez.

South Korea predicted lineup (4-3-3)

Kim Seung-Gyu (GK); Seol Young-Woo, Lee Han-Beom, Kim Min-Jae, Lee Gi-Hyuk, Lee Tae-Seok; Hwang In-Beom, Paik Seung-Ho; Lee Jae-Sung, Lee Kang-In; Son Heung-Min.

Match Prediction

Mexico may have home advantage and maybe the highest-ranked team in the group, but despite that, South Korea has a knack for winning against big teams, and they are very unpredictable. A knockout berth is at stake, and we expect this game to end in a high-octane draw.

Prediction: Mexico 2-2 South Korea

Telecast Details

India: Unite8 Sports Channels, ZEE5,

UK: BBC & ITV

USA: FOX Sports

Nigeria: DStv, GOtv

Full Broadcaster List here.

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