South Korea
KOR · AFC
Head Coach
Hong Myung-bo
Hong Myung-bo leads South Korea into the 2026 FIFA World Cup, tasked with guiding the squad through a competitive Group A and beyond. The coaching staff has been preparing tactical approaches tailored to the expanded 48-team tournament format.
Group Stage Venue
Mexico City
South Korea will play their group stage matches in Mexico City. The 2026 World Cup is the first to be hosted across three nations — the United States, Mexico, and Canada — with matches spread across 16 world-class venues.
Squad (26 players)
Goalkeepers
Defenders
Midfielders
Forwards
Recent Form & Current State
South Korea qualified comfortably through AFC qualification, finishing near the top of their group. Son Heung-min continues to captain the side and remains their talisman. The team has shown strong defensive performances under Hong Myung-bo.
Form heading into a major tournament is often a key indicator of how far a team can progress. South Korea, currently ranked #25 in the FIFA World Rankings, will look to carry momentum from their recent qualifying and friendly campaigns into the group stage. Consistency in results and squad cohesion built during the qualification cycle will be vital assets. The AFCrepresentatives will be eager to demonstrate their quality on the world's biggest stage in 2026.
World Cup History
South Korea have appeared in 11 consecutive World Cups since 1986. Their best ever finish was fourth place in 2002 as co-hosts, when they sensationally reached the semifinals. They have reached the Round of 16 on three occasions.
The FIFA World Cup is the pinnacle of international football, and South Korea's history in the competition provides important context for their 2026 campaign. With the tournament expanding to 48 teams for the first time, every nation faces both new opportunities and new challenges in the revamped group stage format featuring groups of four with the top two advancing to a 32-team knockout round. South Korea will aim to write a new chapter in their World Cup story at this historic edition of the tournament.
Group A Opponents
South Korea faces Mexico and Czech Republic and South Africa in Group A. The top two teams from each group advance to the Round of 32. Group dynamics, head-to-head records, and tactical matchups will all play a role in determining which teams progress from this stage.