![The Czech Republic national football team. [Yonhap]](https://wimg.heraldcorp.com/news/cms/2026/06/12/rcv.YNA.20260611.PYH2026061106720001300_P1.jpg)
The Czech Republic, South Korea's first opponent at the 2026 North America World Cup, ran into an embarrassing snag on the eve of their opening match.
According to British outlet The Sun and ESPN Mexico, the Czech squad's team bus became wedged at the entrance to the Zapopan Sports Arena in Guadalajara, Mexico — the site of their training session — on Thursday local time. The driver misjudged the narrow access road, leaving the rear of the bus blocking the lane.
Local authorities moved in to clear the scene, but the incident triggered a severe traffic jam lasting roughly 60 minutes as cars, trucks and motorcycles piled up.
"As soon as the Czech squad's bus arrived, it got stuck at the entrance," ESPN Mexico said. "The driver made several attempts to free the bus but failed. Ultimately, the players decided to get off and walk."
Thursday was the team's first day in Guadalajara, the match venue, making the disruption all the more untimely — it unfolded just before what was their only training session in the city.
The Czech Republic qualified through the European playoff, returning to the World Cup for the first time in 20 years since the 2006 tournament in Germany. They face South Korea in their group stage opener at Guadalajara Stadium at 11 a.m. Friday Korean Standard Time.
dbsdn1110@heraldcorp.com
