Hong Myung-bo, supervisor of the Korean males’s nationwide soccer crew, reacts throughout a pleasant match in opposition to Ghana at Seoul World Cup Stadium in Seoul, Nov. 18. Yonhap
It’s that point once more — the draw for the World Cup takes place Saturday morning, Seoul time. When followers get up, Korea’s three group opponents can be recognized, the joy will transfer up a degree, and the planning can actually begin.
For the eleventh time in a row, Korea is concerned. It truly is a outstanding streak. The final time it didn’t occur was means again in 1982. You must be in your 50s to recollect a World Cup with out the Taeguk Warriors.
You don’t should be fairly so previous to recollect the final time the match happened in america. That was 1994, when Korea completed third in Group C behind Germany and Spain. Hong Myung-bo scored in each of these video games, and he now returns to the U.S. as Korea’s head coach.
Members of the Korean males’s nationwide soccer crew pose forward of a pleasant match in opposition to Ghana at Seoul World Cup Stadium in Seoul, Nov. 18. Yonhap
There’s some optimism. The match has been expanded from 32 groups to 48. Regardless of the rights and wrongs of that call, it not solely takes the stress off throughout qualification, with Asia sending eight groups as an alternative of 4, it additionally makes attending to the knockout levels simpler. The highest two from every of the 12 teams of 4 will advance to the second spherical, together with the eight greatest third-place groups.
Again in 2022, Korea made it via to the Spherical of 16, however solely simply. It wanted a last-minute purpose from Hwang Hee-chan in opposition to Portugal to seal the deal. That booked a spot within the Spherical of 16. Coach Hong desires to succeed in the identical stage subsequent summer season.
Additionally, in Korea’s favor is being in Pot Two. The 48 groups are divided into 4 pots, with the three co-hosts — the U.S., Canada and Mexico — becoming a member of the highest 9 seeds within the first group. So Korea will, in principle, face one stronger crew (or a bunch) and two weaker. It might not work out that means, however regardless, it’s higher to be within the second pot than within the third.
Hong Myung-bo, left, supervisor of the Korean males’s nationwide soccer crew, and Korea captain Son Heung-min attend a press concerence at Seoul World Cup Stadium in Seoul, Nov. 17, on the eve of a a pleasant match in opposition to Ghana as a part of preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the U.S. Yonhap
So it might be a troublesome draw corresponding to Brazil, Norway and Italy, or it might be one thing like Canada, Panama and Cape Verde. There have been articles written in lots of international locations speaking about what sort of draw they want. It has been mentioned greater than as soon as that Korea could be one of many extra welcome opponents in Pot 2. That’s not a shock, contemplating the pot consists of sturdy groups corresponding to Croatia, Uruguay and Morocco, who’ve all made the semifinals or finals in latest tournaments.
There’s nothing unsuitable with that. Korea’s type has not been spectacular for a while. No person can be frightened of the Taeguk Warriors, however there isn’t any motive for Asia’s most profitable World Cup crew to be scared, both.
We are going to discover out this weekend in Washington. It seems to be like Hong will meet with President Donald Trump, and whereas that might be an fascinating encounter, his thoughts can be on different issues. The countdown begins now.
Hong Myung-bo, supervisor of the Korean males’s nationwide soccer crew, arrives at Incheon Worldwide Airport, Dec. 3, to depart for Washington D.C., the positioning of the 2026 FIFA World Cup draw on the Kennedy Heart. Yonhap
