South Korea leave Guadalajara for Monterrey ahead of Group A decider against South Africa

South Korea's national football team is shifting its focus to the Group A finale against South Africa, putting behind a comeback win over the Czech Republic and a narrow defeat to Mexico in the 2026 North America World Cup.

The squad made the most of Saturday as a full rest day — no structured program, just complete recovery — before preparing to relocate for the first time since arriving in Mexico.

The team held a brief morning training session at Chivas Valle Verde on Sunday before departing the hotel after lunch and boarding a charter flight to Monterrey. The move comes roughly two weeks after the squad first set up its base camp in Guadalajara on June 5.

Monterrey lies roughly 650 kilometers from Guadalajara, about an hour by air. The short trip stands in sharp contrast to South Africa's journey: the Bafana Bafana, based in Pachuca, must travel more than 3,900 kilometers — from Mexico City through Atlanta to Monterrey — giving South Korea a clear physical advantage heading into the match.

Until now, the team's primary concern had been altitude acclimatization. The Guadalajara Stadium, which hosted both Group A matches, sits at 1,570 meters above sea level, which is why the squad held its pre-tournament camp in Salt Lake City, Utah, where conditions are similar.

That preparation paid off. South Korea held a clear edge in stamina and speed over the Czech Republic, who appeared to underestimate the altitude, and put in an equally competitive performance against host nation Mexico.

The Monterrey Stadium, where the South Africa match will be played, sits at roughly 500 meters above sea level — far lower than the Mexico City Stadium, which exceeds 2,200 meters, and the Guadalajara venue where South Korea played its first two matches. Players can expect somewhat easier movement at the lower altitude.

However, the heat presents a new challenge. Both the Czech Republic and Mexico matches in Guadalajara were played in conditions well-suited to football — warm during the day but cool enough by evening to warrant a light jacket.

Mexico's national weather service recorded a daytime high of 37 C in Monterrey on Friday, nearly 10 degrees above Guadalajara's temperature that same day. What passes for a high in Guadalajara barely registers as a low in Monterrey. Some analysts say the Monterrey Stadium ranks as the second-hottest venue among the 16 World Cup stadiums.

South Korea's Group A third-place match against South Africa, which will determine whether the team advances to the round of 32, kicks off at 10 a.m. Korean Standard Time on Thursday.