The South Korea national football team has made a promising start in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Led by coach Hong Myung-bo, the team defeated Czech Republic 2-1 in their first match, held on June 12 at the Estadio Akron in Guadalajara, Mexico. With consecutive goals from Hwang In-beom and Oh Hyeon-gyu, the team secured three points and took second place in the group, behind Mexico. The team's victory in their first match has given them an advantageous position in the group stage. They will face host nation Mexico on June 19 and South Africa on June 25. K-pop artists such as EJAE, Lisa, and BTS have participated in the official theme song and halftime show, solidifying K-pop's position as a core content of the World Cup. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are hosting a 'K-culture' festival during the World Cup period through the Korean Embassy in Mexico and the Korean Cultural Center in Mexico. The festival's themes include 'Connecting with Passion', 'Connecting with Light', 'Connecting with Gaze', and 'Connecting with Rhythm'. The program includes media facades, modern art exhibitions, traditional performances, K-pop cover dances, and Korean promotion hall operations.