New Delhi, June 18 -- Mexico and South Korea will aim to punch their ticket to the FIFA World Cup 2026 knockout rounds on Friday when they meet in Guadalajara knowing that a win would guarantee a last 32 berth. The Group A rivals head into the fixture at the Estadio Akron fresh from respective victories over South Africa and the Czechia in their opening games last week.

The expanded 48-team format for this year's World Cup -- and the fact that the eight best-ranked third-placed teams will advance from the group stage -- means that a win for either Mexico or South Korea would see them advance. Co-hosts Mexico are bracing for a significantly tougher test against South Korean than South Africa provided.

Mexico enjoy a healthy 8-4 head-to-h...