This is an overseas evaluation match related to pride against Japan.

The national soccer team, led by coach Hong Myung-bo, will face North American teams the United States and Mexico in the United States, the venue for the 2026 FIFA North and Central America World Cup finals, this September.

South Korea will compete against the United States on Sept. 6 at Red Bull Arena in New Jersey and then play their second match against Mexico on the 9th. South Korea has a head-to-head record of 5 wins, 3 draws, and 3 losses against the United States. In contrast, against Mexico, they have 4 wins, 2 draws, and 8 losses.

Coincidentally, Coach Hong Myung-bo has already led the South Korean national team in 2014 to face Mexico and the United States in the U.S. At that time, the mainly domestic players of South Korea suffered a 0-4 defeat in a friendly match held in San Antonio. They later moved to Anaheim and lost 0-2 to the United States, led by Jurgen Klinsmann.

There is also a connection with the South Korean players. Currently, the United States national team is led by coach Mauricio Pochettino, who trained Son Heung-min at Tottenham. The Mexico national team coach is Javier Aguirre, who unlocked Lee Kang-in's potential at Mallorca.

There is also another reason South Korea must win. Their archrival Japan is also set to compete against Mexico and the United States during the same period. Ahead of the World Cup, South Korea can’t help but be indirectly compared with Japan.

Japanese "Football Channel" commented, "This evaluation match holds more significance than a simple assessment, as it allows South Korea to be indirectly compared with their eternal rival Japan. The United States and Mexico, constrained by the Nations League, have encountered the optimal opponents of South Korea and Japan."

"In the FIFA rankings, Japan is 15th, the highest in Asia. Iran is 18th. South Korea, which was once renowned as a stronghold of Asian soccer, is now 23rd, widening the gap with Japan. Competing against the United States and Mexico will allow for a precise comparison of the gap between South Korea and Japan."

[OSEN]