(LEAD) Thousands gather in Gwanghwamun to cheer for S. Korea in World Cup match against Czechia

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SEOUL, June 12 (Yonhap) -- More than 16,000 fans gathered in Seoul's Gwanghwamun Square on Friday to cheer for South Korea in its 2026 World Cup opening Group A match against the Czech Republic.

Between 16,000 and 18,000 people had gathered in the plaza in central Seoul as of 1 p.m., according to an estimate by the city government. Many carried umbrellas or portable electric fans to beat the heat, as the day's highest temperature was forecast to reach around 30 C.

South Korea beat Czechia 2-1 in the match, which started at 11 a.m. and ended at 1 p.m.

"It's my first time street cheering, so I am really excited," said 37-year-old office worker Seo Young-shin, who had taken the day off for the occasion. "I love the World Cup so much. Today is the most important match, so I hope we win."

Another office worker, surnamed Woo, said he took the morning off and had to return to the office in the afternoon. He predicted a 3-0 victory for South Korea.

Fans cheer for South Korea's national football team in Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul during its match against Czechia at the 2026 FIFA World Cup on June 12, 2026. (Yonhap)

Some office workers joined the cheering crowd during their lunch break without taking a day off.

"I skipped lunch to watch the game," said Lee Ji-sun, a 29-year-old employee at a securities firm.

During the match, the flow of traffic around Gwanghwamun Square slowed as the crowd grew, especially during lunch time.

"The number of office workers has increased because it's lunchtime," said a police officer, who tried to keep order while constantly blowing a whistle to prevent accidents. "Please keep moving and do not stand still."

A fan covers his face during a street cheering event at Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul on June 12, 2026, after South Korea conceded the opening goal to the Czech Republic's Ladislav Krejci during a football match between the two countries at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. (Yonhap)

At one point, Gwanghwamun Square was filled with sighs when the South Korean team conceded the opening goal in the 14th minute of the second half.

When Ladislav Krejci's header from a throw-in led to the goal, fans who had been sitting on the ground stood up all at once and stared at the electronic display in despair.

People, however, jumped up and down with joy when Hwang In-beom scored an equalizer just eight minutes later.

The cheering grew even louder when Oh Hyeon-gyu scored the go-ahead goal in the 35th minute of the second