World Cup 2026  /  Schedule  /  MEX v KOR
Group A · Thursday, June 18, 2026

Mexico vs South Korea

🕒 9 PM ET📺 FOX · Telemundo📍 Estadio Akron, Guadalajara

The pick

43% MEX30% Draw27% KOR
Model scoreline 1-1Expected goals 1.290.96
DraftKings: MEX -125 · Draw +260 · KOR +370Others’ scoreline: 2-1

Win, draw, and loss probabilities and expected goals are from our team-strength model. Public consensus from 2 sources: Oddschecker, OffshoreSportsbooks.

Head to head

Expected shapes: Mexico 4-3-3, South Korea 4-3-3.

Mexico
vs
South Korea
Model rating
18881812
FIFA ranking
#15#25
Title odds
0.4%0.1%
Squad value (top 26)
€102M€117M
Players in top-5 leagues
32
Avg age (XI) · younger left
27.627.5
Squad strength by line (EA FC 26 ratings)
GKDEFMIDATT
MEXKOR
Top players
Mexico
ST
Julian Quinones
Al Qadsiah · 29y
80
PAC88
SHO79
PAS70
DRI79
DEF36
PHY83
Chip ShotPrecision HeaderRapid
ST
Santiago Gimenez
Milano FC · 24y
79
PAC78
SHO80
PAS70
DRI77
DEF46
PHY69
Precision Header
CDM
Edson Alvarez
Fenerbahçe · 28y
78
PAC65
SHO58
PAS69
DRI72
DEF78
PHY79
AnticipateBlockBruiserSlide Tackle
South Korea
LW
Son Heungmin
LAFC · 33y
85
PAC84
SHO84
PAS81
DRI83
DEF42
PHY73
Finesse Shot ★First TouchGamechangerLow Driven Shot
CB
Kim Minjae
FC Bayern München · 29y
82
PAC73
SHO33
PAS58
DRI63
DEF83
PHY84
Aerial FortressBlockInterceptLong Ball Pass
RW
Lee Kangin
Paris SG · 25y
79
PAC72
SHO75
PAS80
DRI82
DEF50
PHY64
Dead BallInventiveTechnicalWhipped Pass

Key players to watch

LW South Korea
Son Heungmin
LAFC · 33y
85
PAC84
SHO84
PAS81
DRI83
DEF42
PHY73
Finesse Shot ★First TouchGamechangerLow Driven Shot
CB South Korea
Kim Minjae
FC Bayern München · 29y
82
PAC73
SHO33
PAS58
DRI63
DEF83
PHY84
Aerial FortressBlockInterceptLong Ball Pass
ST Mexico
Julian Quinones
Al Qadsiah · 29y
80
PAC88
SHO79
PAS70
DRI79
DEF36
PHY83
Chip ShotPrecision HeaderRapid
ST Mexico
Santiago Gimenez
Milano FC · 24y
79
PAC78
SHO80
PAS70
DRI77
DEF46
PHY69
Precision Header

Projected XIs

Most-likely starting elevens based on recent selections.

Mexico
  • 1R Rangel
  • 2J Sánchez
  • 3C Montes
  • 4J Vásquez
  • 5J Gallardo
  • 6E Lira
  • 7B Gutiérrez
  • 8O Pineda
  • 9Á Fidalgo
  • 10J Quiñones
  • 11R Jiménez
South Korea
  • 1S Kim
  • 2H Lee
  • 3M Kim
  • 4J Kim
  • 5Y Seol
  • 6J Kim
  • 7S Paik
  • 8T Lee
  • 9K Lee
  • 10J Lee
  • 11H Son

Storylines

World Cup: Mexico vs South Korea Group A Pick; Mexico Looks to Roll into Knockout Stage

Billed as Mexico's toughest group test: the sides last met at a World Cup in 2018 (Mexico won 2-1), and Son Heung-min's South Korea, who reached the 2022 Round of 16, look to upset the co-hosts in front of a home crowd in Guadalajara.

Mexico 2026 World Cup draw reaction: Son Heung-min and South Korea pose toughest test in otherwise straightforward group

Goal frames South Korea, led by Son Heung-min, as the standout threat to Mexico's group ambitions, making the Matchday 2 meeting the likely decider for top spot in an otherwise favorable Group A draw for El Tri.

← Back to schedule

Player ratings are EA Sports FC 26 attributes, used here as a consistent, public proxy for player quality. Squad-level comparisons cover the players we could rate; coverage varies by team.