The South Korea national football team lost 0-1 to Mexico in the 2026 FIFA World Cup group stage. Klinsmann, who participated in the World Cup broadcast through ESPN, acknowledged Mexico's win. Klinsmann analyzed that 'Mexico showed a very good performance in the first half' and 'although they didn't have many decisive chances, the players' connection and tempo were good.' Korea maintained the score at 0-0 in the first half and gradually stabilized the game by increasing possession. However, in the 5th minute of the second half, Kim Seung-gyu and Lee Ki-hyeok's breathing did not match, and Luis Romo pushed in the ball that flowed out. Klinsmann evaluated that 'after Mexico scored, they fell back defensively like a typical Central and South American team' and 'from that moment on, Korea started to dominate the game again.' Hong Myung-bo, the manager, threw in Oh Hyeon-gyu, Hwang Hee-chan, Yang Hyun-jun, Eom Ji-sung, and Cho Gyu-sung in the second half to turn the game around. Klinsmann pointed out that 'Korea's attacking substitution was effective, but I think they should have made the change a bit earlier.'