In London — a city that still fondly remembers South Korea captain Son Heung-min — fans rallied behind the national team, with the Korean Cultural Centre UK hosting a spirited watch party.
About 80 people, including Korean residents in the United Kingdom and local visitors with a love of Korean culture, packed the cultural centre on Friday for the "2026 FIFA World Cup Korea vs. Czech Republic Cheering Event." The gathering was organized to bring together the Korean diaspora, Korean culture enthusiasts and local football fans to watch the World Cup group-stage match and share in the excitement. When the equalizer and then the go-ahead goal went in, the crowd leapt to their feet, cheering and chanting "Dae-han-min-guk."
Attendees watched the match on a large screen with Korean-language commentary while waving the Taegukgi — South Korea's national flag — and using cheering props provided by the centre.
"It was truly meaningful to be able to cheer for Korea together with so many people while living abroad," one attendee said. "Thanks to the Korean commentary and the cheering culture, it felt just like watching the game back in Korea."
Park Hyo-geon, director of the Korean Cultural Centre UK, said "The World Cup is a global festival that connects people as one. I hope this cheering event became a meaningful occasion for Korean residents and local Britons alike to experience Korea's unique cheering culture together."
abc@heraldcorp.com
