The incident occurred on 16/6, two days before the decisive Group A match between South Korea and Mexico at the 2026 World Cup. As the South Korean players were conducting warm-ups at the Chivas Verde Valle training center in Guadalajara, an unidentified drone unexpectedly flew into the training area.
According to a South Korean team official, the drone was controlled from a nearby residential area by two men whose identities remain unknown. The suspected purpose was to secretly film the Asian representative's closed training session.
 |
Armed police conduct security drills around the South Korean team's training ground at Chivas Verde Valle in Zapopan, near Guadalajara (Mexico), on 10/6. Photo: Chosun |
South Korean security forces detected the aerial device and immediately notified the protection units. The Mexican army, responsible for ensuring the South Korean team's security at their base camp, deployed a signal jamming device to cut the drone's control signal. The drone lost connection and fell to the ground.
Immediately after, security members from the team, along with Mexican police and military personnel, moved to the drone's crash site to retrieve the device. However, the operators had already accessed the scene, retrieved the drone, and fled. A film crew present at the training ground captured footage of the two men recovering the drone and leaving the area.
The incident was promptly reported to FIFA. Security personnel from the world football federation present at the scene requested Mexican police to launch an investigation. Local authorities subsequently decided to intervene to identify those involved.
The Korean Football Association and coaching staff also informed FIFA of all developments, requesting cooperation to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Despite the intrusion, the South Korean team did not suffer significant professional damage. The drone appeared while the players were only performing coordination drills and warm-ups, before commencing the main tactical training session. Therefore, crucial content prepared for the upcoming match was not recorded.
This incident highlights the heightened tension preceding a decisive confrontation in the race for the top spot in Group A. In their opening matches, both South Korea and Mexico secured victories, each earning three points. South Korea defeated the Czech Republic 2-1 in their first game, while Mexico triumphed over South Africa 2-0. The winner of the upcoming match between South Korea and Mexico will effectively secure advancement to the next stage.
Hoang An (Source: Chosun)
