"Who Would Watch the World Cup?" They Said, Yet Peak Concurrent Viewers Hit 4.82 Million — This Is What National Team Football Looks Like [Weekend Soccer Sip]

Hwang In-beom's equalizer drew loud cheers. 12 © News1 / Photo by Ahn Eun-na [Financial News] The chilly reaction that had said, "I won't watch this World Cup" and "I don't even expect much" was nowhere to be seen.
Once the tournament began, the popularity of South Korea's national team football remained intact. Despite deep distrust and criticism surrounding Hong Myung-bo's team, controversy over JTBC's exclusive broadcast rights as a comprehensive programming channel, and difficulties in negotiating with the three terrestrial broadcasters, South Korean football made a successful first step both on the field and at the box office.In the first Group A match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup against the Czech Republic at Guadalajara Stadium in Mexico on the 12th (Korea time), South Korea won 2-1. After falling behind by conceding the opening goal in the 14th minute of the second half, South Korea turned the game around with Hwang In-beom's equalizer in the 22nd minute and Oh Hyeon-gyu's winning goal in the 35th minute.It was South Korea's first World Cup group-stage opening victory in 16 years, since the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.
It was also Hong Myung-bo's first win in the tournament as head coach in his second World Cup campaign.
Hwang In-beom's equalizer drew loud cheers. 12 © News1 / Photo by Ahn Eun-na [Financial News] The chilly reaction that had said, "I won't watch this World Cup" and "I don't even expect much" was nowhere to be seen.Hwang In-beom's equalizer drew loud cheers. 12 © News1 / Photo by Ahn Eun-na [Financial News] The chilly reaction that had said, "I won't watch this World Cup" and "I don't even expect much" was nowhere to be seen.
In fact, this World Cup began amid concerns that it would become the most indifferent World Cup in history .Noise over the national team's coaching appointment process and strong public criticism of the Korea Football Association (KFA) had not subsided even before the tournament.On top of that, JTBC, rather than the three terrestrial broadcasters, held the exclusive broadcast rights, and negotiations over those rights ran into trouble, reviving concerns over universal viewing access.
KBS eventually joined after negotiations, but doubts remained that it would still be difficult to create a true World Cup atmosphere.The fact that matches were scheduled for weekday mornings also fueled predictions of a major flop.But once the ball started rolling, a reversal followed.Perhaps because it was a weekday daytime slot that made it hard to watch TV, more viewers instead flocked to the broadcast on mobile devices and PCs.82 million concurrent viewers .
Hwang In-beom's equalizer drew loud cheers. 12 © News1 / Photo by Ahn Eun-na [Financial News] The chilly reaction that had said, "I won't watch this World Cup" and "I don't even expect much" was nowhere to be seen.Hwang In-beom's equalizer drew loud cheers. 12 © News1 / Photo by Ahn Eun-na [Financial News] The chilly reaction that had said, "I won't watch this World Cup" and "I don't even expect much" was nowhere to be seen.Hwang In-beom's equalizer drew loud cheers. 12 © News1 / Photo by Ahn Eun-na [Financial News] The chilly reaction that had said, "I won't watch this World Cup" and "I don't even expect much" was nowhere to be seen.
Employees of GS Retail watch and cheer together at GS Tower in Yeoksam-dong, Gangnam District, Seoul, on the 12th as South Korea faces the Czech Republic in a Group A match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.12 / Photo by Yonhap News Agency The appeal of national team football that people criticize but still end up watching Until just before kickoff, football communities and social media were filled with criticism and cynicism toward the national team.But the moment Hwang In-beom's dramatic equalizer and the ensuing comeback unfolded, millions of viewers erupted in cheers at the same time .More than 10,000 people gathered for street cheering events in places such as Gwanghwamun Square and Yeouido, shouting "Daehanminguk." The outcome is unfolding differently from predictions that this would become an all-time "indifference World Cup" because of the exclusive broadcast arrangement and public resistance to the national team.
What silenced the many doubts and concerns before kickoff in just 90 minutes was ultimately the players' fighting spirit on the pitch and the public's love of football, as fans chose once again to believe in and support the Taeguk Warriors, even if reluctantly.After a shaky start, Hong Myung-bo's team revived the tournament's momentum with a dramatic comeback win.They will face host nation Mexico in their second Group A match at Guadalajara Stadium on the 19th.
bng@fnnews.com Kim Hee-sun Reporter