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The Mexican military on Wednesday intercepted a drone flying over the South Korean national soccer team’s training camp ahead of its World Cup match against Mexico.
South Korea and Mexico are both 1-0 and will face off for the top of Group A.
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South Korean midfielder Hwang In-beom celebrates his team’s first goal during the 2026 World Cup Group A match against the Czech Republic at Guadalajara Stadium in Zapopan on June 11, 2026. (Ulises Ruiz/AFP)
Mexican forces used specialized equipment to detect an “unregistered drone” near the South Korean camp, prompting them to “neutralize” it, a Mexican federal agent told the Associated Press. It was unclear whether the drone was trying to spy on the South Korean team ahead of Thursday’s match between the teams.
South Korean coach Hong Myung-bo called the incident “unfortunate.”
“Yesterday (Tuesday) during our training, there was a drone in the sky that we were informed about,” Hong said through a translator. “But fortunately it was just before we practiced our tactics, so it didn’t affect us. But while we were preparing for the match, that was the most important moment, so what happened was unfortunate.”
The Mexican operation was part of a security plan involving the army and local police forces for the soccer tournament, which began last week in Mexico City and is co-hosted by the United States and Canada until July 19.
In March, Mexican authorities announced a World Cup security operation known as “Plan Kukulkán,” involving approximately 100,000 federal and local military and police officers. The plan includes early warning systems, security measures at stadiums, airports, roads and hotels, as well as protection protocols for teams, officials and fans.
US investigating whether Chinese citizen accused of flying drone over base committed ‘more serious offenses’
South Korean players take part in a training session at Chivas Verde Valle in Guadalajara, Mexico, June 15, 2026, during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. (Ulises Ruiz/AFP)
In Canada, authorities have banned unauthorized drones from flying over World Cup stadiums and several training sites in Vancouver and Toronto as a security measure. The restrictions remain in effect until July 7, the date of the last scheduled match in the country.
In 2024, Canada’s women’s national team was accused of using a drone to spy on a training session in New Zealand in the days before its opening match at the Paris Olympics, sparking a spying scandal that led to sanctions against Canada.
The scandal led to the suspension of two members of the coaching staff and head coach Bev Priestman, who was later fired by Canada Soccer. The Canadian women’s team – the reigning Olympic champions at the Tokyo Games – was stripped of six points from its group standings in France.
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Canada Soccer later determined that the incident was not an isolated error but was part of a system of insufficient oversight within national teams.
Mexico won its World Cup Group A opener on Thursday while South Korea beat the Czech Republic later the same day.
