Korea nationwide group head coach Hong Myung-bo meets with the press after the 2026 FIFA World Cup draw on the Kennedy Middle in Washington, D.C., Dec. 5. Yonhap
It’s truthful to say that the one individuals upset with the draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup would be the Korean neighborhood in the US. The Taeguk Warriors will probably be taking part in all three of their group video games in Mexico, however provided that the draw was comparatively variety, Korea has an excellent probability of getting out of the group stage and into the second spherical — that means a possible journey to the USA.
The draw that befell on Saturday morning Seoul time could have gone on eternally, however now that the opponents are recognized, the countdown to subsequent summer season can start.
Properly, not all of the opponents are recognized. The opening recreation is June 11, and that may come in opposition to the winner of one of many European playoffs. So Korea will kick off in opposition to both Denmark, Eire, North Macedonia or the Czech Republic. Denmark is probably the more than likely, however as opening video games go, it may very well be lots worse.
That’s the common sense. The hardest check is anticipated to be co-hosts Mexico within the second recreation, which can happen in Zapopan, a couple of hours from Mexico Metropolis. However Korea has at the very least prevented a serious heavyweight from Europe or South America.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino takes a selfie with U.S. President Donald Trump, Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum and Canadian Prime Minister Mike Carney throughout the 2026 FIFA World Cup Draw on the John F. Kennedy Middle for Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., Dec. 5. UPI-Yonhap
“I suppose you may say it’s a little bit of an excellent factor for us,” head coach Hong Myung-bo mentioned. “Nevertheless, the house area benefit can play an enormous position. After I take into consideration the occasions once we had been the house group, the house area benefit will help groups carry out even higher than what they’re able to. There is no such thing as a one which we are able to contemplate a simple group.”
That’s all appropriate, however Hong will probably be proud of a comparatively light group, that includes South Africa because the third rival. Korea is ranked twenty second on the planet, however Mexico is thirteenth and South Africa is manner down at 61st. That is Bafana Bafana’s first World Cup look because it hosted the event in 2010, and a recreation during which Korea can get three factors. Bear in mind, the highest two from every of the 12 teams undergo, however the perfect eight third-placed groups additionally make it.
Something lower than a spot within the Spherical of 32 can be disastrous, given the better draw, however whereas coach Hong will probably be proud of the way it has all gone, the identical will be mentioned of the opposite groups. No one will probably be too fearful about going through Korea.
The FIFA Peace Prize, left, awarded to U.S. President Donald Trump on the 2025 World Cup Draw, and the FIFA World Cup Trophy sit within the Oval Workplace of the White Home in Washington, D.C., Dec. 6. UPI-Yonhap
“I used to be proud of Mexico and South Korea,” South Africa coach Hugo Broos mentioned. “I hope the final one, it needs to be one thing else than what we’ve now. So now we’ll in all probability even have Denmark in our group.
“So we’ve with Mexico and Denmark, two very massive groups. So it will likely be tough for us to be in second or first. However on the opposite aspect now, with the brand new World Cup, the primary eight of third locations can undergo.”
Korea shouldn’t be pondering the identical; it needs to be on the lookout for a top-two end within the group. The arduous work begins now.
