The FIFA 2026 whistle blew as South Korea opened the stage against Czechia. Posting a decisive win at 2-1, the Taeguk Warriors now sit second in Group A with strong qualification potential. This impressive start was actively forged in the gym.

One of Asia's top teams, South Korea's brutal training regimen has recently been making headlines across the internet. And for good reasons, with the training video clips leaving the spectators gaping.

In the reel posted by The Straits Times on June 17, the South Korean squad was seen engaging in physical training. Dynamic athletic movements and plyometrics were prioritized as well.

South Korea’s national football team performed intense football-specific training. They did band-resisted sprinting and pushing drills, plus physical body-to-body battles using machines to build strength for winning 50/50 duels, headers, and shoulder challenges ahead of the World Cup

The debuting South Korean centre-back Shin Min-ha captured the spotlight with his rigorous aerial duel simulation training, heading a speeding football while simultaneously pushing the sliding weight to the side.

However, South Korea's campaign has not been entirely trouble-free.

Drones intercepted near South Korean training camps raise serious concerns

Right before the Taeguk Warriors' match against co-host Mexico on June 19, the Mexican military detected and brought down "an unregistered drone" flying near the team's training facility.

Whether it was intended to spy on the team remains unknown, but the attempts were made futile nonetheless. As coach Hong Myung-bo explained, they noticed the drone before the squad even began practising their tactics or game strategy.

"It was right before we practised our tactics, so it did not impact us," Myung-bo told The Guardian.

Yet, the debacle cannot be downplayed, especially at an event like the World Cup. The matches often go down to the wire, with even slight disadvantages flipping the narrative entirely.

Unfortunately, this isn't a standalone case; numerous such drones attempting to breach security zones across Mexican stadiums have been neutralized in recent days.

While no arrest confirmations have been given, the air feels clear now for the South Korean team. Despite an edging 0-1 loss against Mexico, the team can still qualify in its final group-stage game against South Africa.

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Written by

Proma Chatterjee

Edited by

Zaid Quraishi