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Mexican military personnel shot down a drone that appeared over the sports complex where the South Korean national team was training ahead of their World Cup match against the Aztecs, Yonhap news agency reports. The Korean squad was conducting a closed practice session in Zapopan, focusing on tactical formations. During the warm-up, a security officer spotted the drone hovering above the football pitch and reported it to the Mexican military, who then intercepted and brought it down.
Reportedly, two men, believed to be the drone's operators, retrieved the device and left the scene before law enforcement arrived. The Korean Football Association has requested a local police investigation. Head coach Hong Myung-bo stated that the incident did not affect the team's preparation, as it occurred before the tactical portion of the training. "I learned about the drone incident during our training yesterday. Fortunately, it happened before we started implementing tactics, so it didn't significantly impact us," the specialist commented.
However, the coach expressed regret that such an incident occurred during a crucial period of preparation for a World Cup match. AP agency previously reported that drones attempting to enter restricted areas near stadiums and national team training camps have been shot down in recent days in several cities hosting matches for the 2026 World Cup. The match between Mexico and the Republic of Korea is scheduled for June 19th in Zapopan. After the first round, both teams have three points: Mexico defeated South Africa (2-0), while the Asians triumphed over the Czech Republic (2-1).
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