The South Korean national flag enters the stadium during the opening ceremony of the 2026 FIFA North, Central America and Caribbean World Cup, ahead of the season opener between Mexico and South Africa at Mexico City Stadium on Thursday (local time). (Yonhap)
The South Korean national flag enters the stadium during the opening ceremony of the 2026 FIFA North, Central America and Caribbean World Cup, ahead of the season opener between Mexico and South Africa at Mexico City Stadium on Thursday (local time). (Yonhap)

Gwangju University is holding a group viewing event Friday morning to cheer on national team players from the Gwangju area competing in the North, Central America and Caribbean World Cup.

Two Gwangju-connected players earned spots on South Korea's World Cup squad: Jo Gyu-sung, a former member of the Gwangju University soccer team, and Eom Ji-sung, a graduate of Gwangju Kumho High School.

About 500 students and staff will gather in the 600-seat main auditorium on the first floor of Hosim Hall to watch the match on a large screen and cheer on Jo, Eom and the rest of the Korean squad. Gwangju Kumho High School had considered holding its own viewing event for Eom but decided against it after the match time conflicted with regular class hours.

Jo played for the Gwangju University soccer team from 2016 to 2018. Eom joined Gwangju FC before earning a call-up to the under-23 national team in 2024.

South Korea opens its World Cup campaign against the Czech Republic in Group A at Guadalajara Stadium in Zapopan, Mexico, at 11 a.m. Friday.


sij@heraldcorp.com