Although the South Korean national soccer team suffered a disappointing defeat to Mexico, the enthusiasm among fans remained high both inside and outside the stadium. Gwanghwamun Square saw 18,000 Red Devils gather, while an online streaming platform recorded 4.78 million viewers, showcasing the intense interest in the World Cup.
According to Yonhap News, during the second group match of the 2026 North and Central America World Cup on June 19, approximately 18,000 citizens gathered in Gwanghwamun Square by 11 a.m. to cheer on their team.
Following a victory against the Czech Republic, expectations for advancing to the knockout stage were high, and despite the sweltering heat, fans filled the square. Crowds spilled onto the steps of the Sejong Center and surrounding alleys, with many holding umbrellas, hats, and handheld fans, chanting "Dae-Han-Min-Guk" to support their team.
Cheers erupted from the crowd whenever Korea threatened Mexico's goal. Even after a scoreless first half, fans applauded the players. However, when Mexico scored in the fifth minute of the second half, sighs of disappointment filled the air. Nevertheless, fans reassured each other, saying, "It's okay, there's still plenty of time," and continued to cheer until the final whistle.
After the match, the atmosphere remained upbeat. Yonhap reported that while fans left with disappointed expressions, they applauded the players and departed in an orderly fashion. Kim Hoon, 48, told Yonhap, "The players fought really well, but luck wasn't on their side. I will come out to cheer again for the next match."
The midday World Cup excitement also invigorated local businesses. The BBQ restaurant in Euljiro, Jung-gu, was fully booked with 110 seats reserved for groups, and 40 orders of takeout chicken were placed, benefiting from the World Cup buzz. One office worker remarked, "During the second half, I cheered alongside people I had never met before, and while it was disappointing that no goals were scored, it was fun to cheer together."
The online cheering enthusiasm matched that of the offline crowd. Yonhap reported that Naver's streaming platform, Chijijik, recorded a peak of 4.78 million concurrent viewers during the match against Mexico. This figure is the second highest, following the 4.825 million viewers during the Czech Republic match on June 12.
Chijijik stated that it provided stable streaming services even during the surge in traffic. Users participated in the cheering through a "watch together" feature, allowing them to enjoy the game alongside streamers.
The popularity of the watch together content continued to grow. By the time of the Mexico match, approximately 953 streamers had participated, including partner streamers Han Dong-sook and Poongwolryang, as well as Lee Kyung-kyu, Shoot for Love, and Eastar TV, who also hosted cheering broadcasts.
Although the national team lost 0-1 to Mexico, failing to secure the top spot in their group, the Red Devils who filled Gwanghwamun Square and the millions of fans cheering online continued to applaud the players. The combined enthusiasm from both offline and online supporters once again demonstrated the fervent interest in Korean soccer during this World Cup.
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.