Guadalajara: The South Korean men's national football team has arrived at their FIFA World Cup base camp in Guadalajara, Mexico, six days before their first group stage match. The team, coached by Hong Myung-bo, checked into the Westin Guadalajara around 4 p.m. on Friday, where they were welcomed by enthusiastic fans.

According to Yonhap News Agency, South Korean fans and local residents gathered hours in advance at the entrance and near the Expo Guadalajara, adjacent to the team's hotel. The fans chanted words of encouragement and called out players' names as the team disembarked from their bus. Team captain Son Heung-min garnered the loudest cheers, although neither he nor his teammates paused to sign autographs or accept gifts.

The team had been in Utah, USA, for three weeks of altitude training prior to their arrival in Guadalajara, which is situated approximately 1,500 meters above sea level. Coach Hong Myung-bo expressed satisfaction with the team's adjustment to the altitude, which is crucial as two of their Group A matches will be played in Guadalajara.

During their U.S. training camp, South Korea secured victories in both friendly matches, defeating Trinidad and Tobago 5-0 and El Salvador 1-0. Their World Cup campaign will commence against Czechia on Thursday at Estadio Guadalajara.

Following the opener, South Korea will face Mexico on June 18 at the same venue before concluding their Group A matches against South Africa on June 24 in Monterrey at Estadio Monterrey. The tournament, co-hosted by Mexico, Canada, and the United States, has expanded to include 48 teams.

The top two teams from each of the 12 groups, along with the eight best third-place teams, will advance to the knockout stage. Coach Hong has set the goal of advancing to the round of 32, aiming for the best possible position to leverage the unpredictable nature of the competition.

A group victory would see South Korea playing their first knockout match in Mexico City, with a guaranteed match against a third-place qualifier. If they advance as runners-up, they will face the Group B runner-up in Los Angeles. Should they qualify as the third seed from Group A, their next match will be either in Boston against the Group E winner or in Seattle against the Group G winner.

On Saturday, the team will participate in a FIFA-organized "Community Training" session at Chivas Verde Valle, the training facility for C.D. Guadalajara.