Mexican fans send passionate support to Son Heung-min

Son Heungmin did not record a goal contribution in the 2026 North and Central America World Cup match against the Czech Republic, but he received strong support from local fans in Guadalajara, Mexico. Son Heungmin started in the first match of Group A against the Czech Republic held on the 12th (Korea time) at Stadium in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, and moved around actively, but failed to score. Korea won 21, and Son Heungmin was substituted in the 24th minute of the second half. There were a fair number of Mexican fans in the stadium, and they cheered and applauded while chanting Son Heungmin's name. During the match, when Son Heungmin encouraged a reaction from the crowd, cheers of "Son" and "Korea" continued as well. Local fans said the support was also rooted in their memory of Korea's victory over Germany at the 2018 Russia World Cup, which helped Mexico advance to the round of 16, as well as the recent rise in popularity of Korean culture. Interest in Son Heungmin continued even after the match. Some fans said they had come to the stadium specifically to see Son Heungmin in person, and said they would come to watch him at the next Korea match as well. Korea and Mexico will face each other again at the same venue on the 19th.