Daytime World Cup fever grips Seoul for 1st time in 24 years

People cheer after Oh Hyeon-gyu scores the go-ahead goal in Korea's opening group stage match against the Czech Republic at a 2026 FIFA World Cup event at Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul, Friday. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul

Cheers echoed across Gwanghwamun Square on Friday, as thousands of citizens gathered to watch the national team’s opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup against the Czech Republic, celebrating a dramatic victory.

With a World Cup match being broadcast during daylight hours for the first time since Korea co-hosted the 2002 tournament 24 years ago, more than 10,000 people gathered at Gwanghwamun Square for a public watch party.

Fans wearing the Red Devils' trademark color gathered alongside families, soldiers, office workers and tourists, turning the square into a festival-like venue as Korea rallied from a goal down to secure a 2-1 win.

Kim Hyun-jung, a 33-year-old office worker, hurried to the square with two colleagues as soon as their lunch break began, carrying a box of fried chicken. They weren't the only ones to bring their lunch along.

“Many people are using their lunch break like us, and some of my coworkers went to pubs to watch the match," she said. "Because the game is being played during the day, it's much easier for office workers to join in and enjoy the atmosphere."

Large outdoor screens are installed at Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul, Friday. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul

By 11:30 a.m., the square was packed with people watching the match on large outdoor screens, leaving only barricade-lined corridors for pedestrians to move through.

"This is my first time attending a street cheering event on such a large scale," said Ahn Ji-won, a 22-year-old currently serving in the military. "I scheduled my leave to coincide with the match because I wanted to experience the atmosphere."

When the Czech Republic took the lead early in the second half, the crowd, led by a cheering squad, responded with loud chants and songs of support.

The atmosphere shifted dramatically when Hwang In-beom scored the equalizer, followed by Oh Hyeon-gyu's go-ahead goal. Even passersby stopped in the middle of the street to watch the giant screens, jumping, cheering and raising their arms in celebration.

"We came to Seoul from Busan for a family trip and decided to join the street cheering event," said Sung Ju-wook, a 47-year-old office worker who attended with his wife and two young daughters. "The win made the experience even more memorable."

Foreign visitors take part in a public cheering event for Korea's opening group stage match against the Czech Republic at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul, Friday. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul

Foreign visitors also enjoyed the lively atmosphere.

Nino Veraart, a tourist from the Netherlands visiting Korea on vacation, joined the crowd wearing a red Son Heung-min jersey.

"It's amazing and really well-organized," Veraart said. "We have public viewing events in the Netherlands, too, but they're usually much smaller. Seeing so many people — even office workers on their lunch break — come together to enjoy football is incredible."

Kim Jun, a 23-year-old recent university graduate visiting from the United States, attended the cheering event with a friend from China.

"The atmosphere is incredible," he said. "It's rare to see an event this crowded and lively, especially during the daytime."

Following Friday's match, public watch events are scheduled for Korea's matches against Mexico on June 19 and South Africa on June 25 at Gwanghwamun Square. Both matches are scheduled to begin at 10 a.m.