Hong says players have 'consistently experienced' high temperatures and humidity

Soccer fans cool off with drinks at the World Cup Fan Fest in Monterrey, Mexico, where South Korea will face South Africa in their Group A finale at the 2026 North America World Cup. Monterrey, notorious even within Mexico for its scorching heat, saw temperatures climb to 35 degrees Celsius on Tuesday, with intense sunlight and high humidity pushing the heat index to around 40 degrees. [Yonhap]
Soccer fans cool off with drinks at the World Cup Fan Fest in Monterrey, Mexico, where South Korea will face South Africa in their Group A finale at the 2026 North America World Cup. Monterrey, notorious even within Mexico for its scorching heat, saw temperatures climb to 35 degrees Celsius on Tuesday, with intense sunlight and high humidity pushing the heat index to around 40 degrees. [Yonhap]

When it comes to the heat, South Korea has the edge over South Africa.

South Korea and South Africa will play their Group A finale at the 2026 North America World Cup at Estadio BBVA in Guadalupe, Monterrey, at 10 a.m. Thursday Korean Standard Time, with temperatures expected to exceed 30 degrees Celsius. Hong Myung-bo's side has expressed confidence about the conditions, while South Africa has made little effort to hide its concern.

Monterrey is notorious even by Mexican standards for its heat. During the day, the sun beats down with blinding intensity, and the air is so thick with moisture that sweat runs freely even when standing still. At kickoff — 7 p.m. local time Wednesday — the temperature is forecast at 28 C, easing to 27 C at 8 p.m. and 26 C by 9 p.m.

With humidity at 52 percent, the heat index will feel considerably higher. The apparent temperature in Monterrey at 7 p.m. is forecast to range from around 34 C to 40 C.

Coach Hong said the heat would not be a major factor for his players. The squad completed an altitude acclimatization program in Salt Lake City that also included heat-adaptation measures, such as alternating cold and hot baths after training sessions.

"There will be some difficulty with the heat, but it's not an unfamiliar environment," Hong said. "Our players have consistently experienced this kind of humid, high-temperature weather back in Korea."

He added that the team had known about Monterrey's conditions well in advance and had prepared accordingly alongside their altitude work. "We'll feel the heat, but I don't think it will significantly affect our performance," he said.

South Africa coach Hugo Broos was less sanguine. "This level of heat is not something you can adapt to in a day or two — you need about one to two weeks," he said. "I'm not sure whether being African means we handle the heat better. We'll find out on Thursday."

South Africa's inland plateau cities, including Johannesburg and Pretoria, do see summer highs of up to 35 C with comparable humidity. But temperatures there typically drop to comfortable levels by evening — a pattern Monterrey does not follow.


yjc@heraldcorp.com