Playing in his final World Cup, Son Heung-min wants to make it a grand occasion as he captains an incredibly talented South Korea team at this summer's tournament in North America. The Taegeuk Warriors will want to replicate their run in the 2022 edition, when they reached the Round of 16, or even improve on it this time. However, humiliating defeats in the preparation friendlies keep them on their toes ahead of the finals. South Korea also faces a strong group containing co-hosts of the tournament, Mexico, South Africa and the Czech Republic in Group A, making it a very challenging occasion for Hong Myung-bo’s team.
South Korea World Cup History
The 2026 edition will mark South Korea's 12th appearance at the World Cup, continuing their streak of 11 consecutive participations and solidifying their reputation as a consistent presence from Asia on this prestigious stage. They made their debut in 1954, but it was not until a 32-year wait for their second appearance in 1986 that they became regulars on the world stage. After failing to win any game in their first five tournaments, their glorious moment came in 2002 when they co-hosted the World Cup with Japan and achieved their best finish in the competition’s history. Under the guidance of Guus Hiddink and led by legendary players, the nation has produced, like Park Ji-sung, South Korea stunned the world by reaching the semifinals.
They topped their group over the USA and Portugal and stunningly beat European heavyweights Italy and Spain on the way. Their historic journey was ended by the eventual runners-up, Germany, while they narrowly lost to Turkey in the third-place match. Current manager of the national team, Hong Myung-bo, was part of that squad and he remains the top appearance maker at the World Cup stage, appearing in four tournaments. After another knockout appearance in the 2010 World Cup, the side repeated the feat in the last World Cup by famously beating Portugal, but they were bruised by Brazil with a 4-1 defeat in the Round of 16 stage.
South Korea Qualification for the FIFA World Cup 2026
As detailed in how South Korea qualified for the FIFA World Cup 2026, The AFC qualifying campaign for the 2026 World Cup was magnificent for South Korea as they became the only Asian side to go unbeaten in qualifiers. The Tigers of Asia picked up six wins and four draws to seal the automatic berth, finishing six points ahead of second -placed Jordan. However, the difference could have been more and they could have sealed qualification earlier had Hong Myung-bo’s side not played a series of 1-1 draws from November 2024 to March 2025. It was a minute setback as the team returned to its rhythm and booked their ticket with a 2-0 victory over Iraq in their penultimate qualifying game. Hence, South Korea received a year's window to prepare for the competition this summer.
South Korea Preparation and Form for the FIFA World Cup 2026
Although they had a solid start against two of the tournament’s co-hosts, with a 2-0 victory over the USA and then playing out a 2-2 draw against Mexico, who they will also face in the group stage of the 2026 World Cup, the humiliation against Brazil snapped all positive feelings. The Selecao beat them 5-0 at their own backyard in Seoul Stadium, where South Korea made the historical run to the semifinals of the 2002 World Cup. Even though Hong Myung-bo’s side returned to winning ways with three straight victories against Paraguay, Bolivia and Ghana, their bubble burst again in the March friendlies. Son and co suffered another embarrassing defeat, this time to the Ivory Coast, 4-0 and then suffered a 1-0 loss to Austria, putting them under pressure ahead of the tournament. They had scheduled friendlies against CONCACAF sides Trinidad and Tobago and El Salvador to get better accustomed to the surroundings in which they will be desperate to clinch victory.
South Korea Squad for FIFA World Cup 2026
Goalkeepers: Jo Hyeon-woo (Ulsan), Kim Seung-gyu (FC Tokyo), Song Bum-keun (Jeonbuk)
Defenders: Kim Min-jae (Bayern Munich), Cho Yu-min (Sharjah), Han-beom Lee (Midtjylland), Kim Tae-hyeon (Kashima Antlers), Jin-Seob Park (Zhejiang), Lee Ki-hyuk (Gangwon), Lee Tae-seok (Austria Wien), Seol Young-woo (Red Star Belgrade), Jens Castrop (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Kim Moonhwan (Daejeon)
Midfielders: Yang Hyun-jun (Celtic), Paik Seung-ho (Birmingham City), Hwang In-beom (Feyenoord), Kim Jin-gyu (Jeonbuk), Bae Jun-ho (Stoke City), Eom Ji-sung (Swansea City), Hwang Hee-chan (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Lee Dong-gyeong (Ulsan), Lee Jae-sung (Mainz), Kang-in Lee (Paris Saint-Germain)
Forwards: Oh Hyeon-gyu (Besiktas), Son Heung-min (LAFC), Cho Gue-sung (Midtjylland)
Head Coach: Hong Myung-Bo
Son Heung-min is set to lead South Korea in his fourth and final World Cup and is still an influential figure described by head coach Hong Myung-Bo as ‘the heart’ of the team. This is the first time the former Tottenham star has earned his call-up playing outside of Europe, in the MLS with LAFC, where he has contributed to an outstanding 32 goals in 33 appearances for the side. Wolves’ Hwang Hee-chan, PSG’s Kang-in Lee and Kim Min-jae of Bayern Munich make the other renowned names in the squad playing in the top five leagues in Europe. Borussia Mönchengladbach’s Jens Castrop became the first player with dual heritage in the nation’s history to be named in the squad for the World Cup. 15 players from the 2022 World Cup roster successfully retained their spots in the squad for the 2026 edition, while 11 will be at this stage for the first time.
Strengths
Very few teams possess such a diversification of talent as South Korea has, mixed with the experience of playing in some of the best leagues around the world. More than 60% of the squad do so, while almost half of the squad have played in a World Cup before. The Asian giants also have the necessary depth in almost every position, more definitely in midfield, helping the team with new ideas, variations and tackling tough situations. Leadership figures like Son and Kim Min-jae, who have seen it and done it all, in the same dressing room with the upcoming stars, help them adapt to a highly pressurised environment swiftly. The high-energy, high-pressing counter-attacking play is well-suited to the squad with pacey wingers and a formidable midfield. There are creative players like Yang Hyun-jun and Kang-in Lee who can produce something from nothing.
Weaknesses
The 3-4-3 formation deployed by coach Myung-bo has come into severe criticism because it exposes them badly, given their style of play. At times, the wing-backs used are not naturally suited for the role, but rather forwards who lack defensive discipline, leaving them vulnerable on the flanks in this system. Due to this, the otherwise solid defence line is often stretched, causing the side to concede a heavy number of goals, especially against top teams with lethal attacking force. Their 5-0 humiliation by Brazil and the 4-0 loss to the Ivory Coast in the preparation friendlies expose that truth. The system also stagnates their attacking output, as proven in these defeats and also in certain games in qualifiers, even if it was spotless. However, with a few tweaks, South Korea could play better football for the opposition to worry about.
Key Player: Heung-min Son
While South Korea has produced a lot of talent on the way to creating the next big thing for the nation, nobody will be able to replace or have the influence Heung-min Son possesses, at least when he is around. The 33-year-old still returned as the top scorer for the Taegeuk Warriors in the World Cup qualifiers with 10 goals, while also assisting four for his teammates, showing his significance time and time again. The forward had an excellent turnaround in MLS with LAFC after a poor final season at Tottenham Hotspur by his standards last year, with his 15-assist tally this season, is even more than a certain Lionel Messi. Son has shown repeatedly that he is the player for big moments.
He has showered countless memories in the World Cup itself, scoring the sealer in the memorable 2-0 win against Germany in Russia or providing the crucial assist to Hwang Hee-chan’s winner against Portugal in Qatar, which sent them to the Round of 16 stage for only the third time in their competition history. He will also be gunning to be the outright top goalscorer for his nation at the World Cup, having bagged three goals, the same as Ahn Jung-hwan and Park Ji-sung. The Tigers of Asia will want their mesmerising captain to make a heroic performance in his final hurrah at the competition.
How will the South Korea lineup be at the FIFA World Cup 2026?
Manager Hong Myung-Bo is unlikely to move away from his 3-4-3 formation, with the team looking to adapt to it in the finals. There is a real competition between veteran shot-stopper Seung-gyu Kim and Jo Hyeon-woo for the number one spot, with both sharing games lately. The former has earned over 80 international appearances and has previous experience in international tournaments, but the latter has been called upon more in the qualifiers, where he has kept six clean sheets. However, the defensive three looks more settled with Kim Min-jae marshalling the backline alongside Tae-Hyeon Kim of Kashima Antlers and Midjylland’s Han-Beom Lee, although Cho Yu-min of Sharjah will provide another good option. The flanks will be in control of Red Star’s Seol Young-Woo and Tae-Seok Lee of Austria Wein. The midfield could be another area of debate, but Feyenoord’s Hwang In-beom, despite his injury concerns, should be locked in, having played in every game in the qualifiers and providing central stability. Paik Seung-ho of Birmingham City is likely partnering with him, while Mainz’s Lee Jae-sung could slot in there for more creative output. Up front, the ever-present Heung-min Son is expected to be flanked by Kang-in Lee and Hwang Hee-chan.
South Korea Group A Fixtures and Opposition in FIFA World Cup 2026
Friday, 12 June 2026
South Korea v Czech Republic - Estadio Akron, Guadalajara (07:30)
Friday, 19 June 2026
Mexico v South Korea - Estadio Akron, Guadalajara (06:30)
Thursday, 25 June 2026
South Africa v South Korea - Estadio BBVA, Monterrey (06:30)
South Korea are placed in arguably the ‘group of death’ of the competition with all equally matched teams and hard to separate between them. They have a strong beginning against a feisty Czech Republic team in what is the second game in the 2026 World Cup. Hong Myung-Bo’s side then proceeded to face one of the tournament’s hosts and their base for the group stage games, Mexico, on 19 June 2026, with Guadalajara the venue again. The final game against 2010 hosts South Africa is scheduled on 25 June 2026 at Monterrey.
South Korea FIFA World Cup 2026 Prediction
Coach Hong Myung-Bo has made the Round of 32 qualification the mission for the 2026 World Cup, but even without an elite opposition, they have been handed a very difficult group. All three teams are capable of derailing the knockout plans of Taegeuk Warriors, especially when the team arrives with questionable form and struggles to adjust to the manager’s tactics. However, this group could turn out to be a very open one, down to the team that can take their chance well. With eight best third-placed teams moving into the knockouts, South Korea may escape the group stage using the inexperience of South Africa, who is back at the World Cup since hosting in 2010, as well as the Czech Republic, returning after 20 years, to top them, also having a higher FIFA ranking than the pair, provided Mexico, despite their struggles, use their home advantage to the fullest. Yet, it could go totally wrong for them and they could return home empty-handed.
