South Korea lineup vs. Mexico: Predicted XI for World Cup 2026 Group A clash as two players return to team training

After coming from behind to beat the Czech Republic 2-1 in their World Cup 2026 opener, South Korea will face co-hosts Mexico at Estadio Akron on Friday.

Goalkeeper Kim Seung-Gyu of FC Tokyo was impressive last time out - making three big saves while preventing a commendable 1.07 expected goals - and he should continue between the posts against El Tri.

Shielding the shot-stopper is likely to be a back three of Lee Han-Beom, Kim Min-Jae and Lee Gi-Hyuk, with left-sided centre-half Kim Tae-Hyeon still a doubt despite returning to team training following an ankle injury.

Manager Hong Myung-Bo looks set to start Birmingham City star Paik Seung-Ho alongside Hwang In-Beom - who scored the equaliser and assisted the winner against the Czech Republic - in the centre of the park.

Flanking the duo should be wing-backs Seol Young-Woo and Lee Tae-Seok, who will be hoping to provide width as well as form part of a compact five-man defence when out of possession.

Stoke City's attacking midfielder Bae Jun-Ho has been training with the rest of the squad, and while he could feature, he is unlikely to start after recovering from an ankle issue.

Regardless, the versatile Lee Kang-In of Paris Saint-Germain will be joined by Mainz 05's Lee Jae-Sung in the creative roles behind captain and striker Son Heung-Min, who has notched 56 goals in 145 games for South Korea.

South Korea possible starting lineup:

S Kim; H Lee, M Kim, G Lee; Seol, Hwang, Paik, T Lee; K Lee, J Lee; Son

> Click here to see how Mexico could line up against South Korea