Mexico vs South Korea: prediction & betting odds 19 June 2026

Form and Line-up Mexico

Mexico opened their home World Cup with a convincing 2:0 win over South Africa at the legendary Azteca. Javier Aguirre's side dominated from the first minutes, scoring an early goal in the ninth minute through Julian Quinones. In the second half, the hosts smartly switched into containment and control mode, taking advantage of their numerical superiority after two red cards for the opposition. The final touch in the match came from 35-year-old veteran Raul Jimenez, who scored his first goal at a World Cup.

The core of the squad are in excellent playing rhythm — in their last five matches, the team have recorded four wins and one draw with an aggregate score of 11:2. However, ahead of the second round, Mexico have suffered a critical loss. In added time of the match against South Africa, vice-captain and key centre-back Cesar Montes received a straight red card for stopping a clear scoring attack. The defence, which was barely put under pressure in the first round, has lost its main connecting piece.

Key numbers for Mexico:

• They have scored at least two goals in four of their last five games.

• They have won four of their five meetings with South Korea, drawing once.

• They are unbeaten in nine matches in a row.

Probable Mexico line-up (4-1-4-1)

Raul Rangel — Israel Reyes, Mateo Chavez, Johan Vasquez, Jesus Gallardo — Erik Lira — Roberto Alvarado, Bryan Gutierrez, Alvaro Fidalgo, Julian Quinones — Raul Jimenez.

Absentees: Cesar Montes (suspended).

Form and Line-up South Korea

South Korea showed enormous composure in the match against the Czech Republic (2:1). Despite dominating the first half in terms of shots (8-2), the team somehow conceded first in the 59th minute from a set piece. Nevertheless, the visitors showed extraordinary physical readiness: they needed only eight minutes for Feyenoord player Hwang In-beom (the former Rubin Kazan midfielder) to equalise with a neat dink. In the 80th minute, he also assisted Oh Hyeon-gyu, who earned the team three comeback points.

The team are traditionally mobile, resilient and almost never lose the midfield battle thanks to their intense pressing. Attacking leader Son Heung-min does a huge amount of running work (7.3 km in 69 minutes against the Czech Republic), drawing two defenders towards him and opening up space for midfielders arriving from deep.

Key numbers for South Korea:

• They have lost to Mexico twice at the World Cup (1998 and 2018).

• Over 2.5 goals has landed in five head-to-head meetings with Mexico.

• They have never won their second match of the tournament in 11 World Cup appearances.

Probable South Korea line-up (3-4-2-1)

Kim Seung-gyu — Lee Han-beom, Kim Min-jae, Lee Ki-hyuk — Yang Woo-seo, Hwang In-beom, Paik Seung-ho, Lee Tae-seok — Lee Kang-in, Lee Jae-sung — Son Heung-min.

Absentees: Bae Jun-ho, Kim Tae-hyun (both doubtful).

Who will referee the match 

Gustavo Tejera (Uruguay) 

Matches – 8 (International matches, 2026);

Average fouls per match – 26;

Average yellow/red cards per match (including second yellows) – 4;

Matches with a straight red card – 0 out of 8;

Matches with a penalty – 1 out of 8.