Mexico and South Korea meet again at a World Cup… with unfinished business dating back to 1998

Nearly three decades after their first clash on soccer’s biggest stage, Mexico and South Korea will meet again at the 2026 World Cup. The matchup carries layers of history, memory, and even a personal storyline that makes this reunion especially compelling.

Flashback to France ’98

The most iconic meeting between the two sides came on June 13, 1998, in Lyon, France. That day, both teams opened their World Cup campaigns, with Mexico earning a convincing 3–1 victory. Luis Hernández scored twice, Ricardo Peláez added another, and Manuel Lapuente’s squad delivered one of the strongest tournament debuts in Mexican history.

On the other side of the field was Hong Myung-Bo, South Korea’s legendary defender and captain. Despite his leadership, the Koreans couldn’t stop El Tri’s momentum at the Parc Olympique Lyonnais.

Hong Myung-Bo returns—this time as coach

Fast forward 28 years, and fate has brought the two nations together again. But this time, Hong Myung-Bo won’t be on the pitch—he’ll be on the sidelines as South Korea’s head coach. The man who once endured a painful debut against Mexico now has the chance to face the same opponent with a tactical board in hand and decades of experience behind him.

Different memories, same stage

For Mexico, the matchup stirs positive memories of triumph. For South Korea, it reopens an old wound. In 2026, the script resets: Hong Myung-Bo seeks a symbolic redemption from the bench, while Mexico looks to extend its dominance in this historic rivalry.

The clash is more than just another group-stage fixture—it’s a meeting of past and present, a reminder that the World Cup is as much about history as it is about the future.