South Korea World Cup 2026

South Korea arrive at the 2026 World Cup carrying the weight of Asia's proudest football tradition and a burning desire to recapture the magic of their unforgettable 2002 run to the semi-finals. The Taegeuk Warriors have qualified for every tournament since 1986 — a consistency few Asian nations can match — and are built around captain Son Heung-min, widely regarded as the greatest Asian footballer of all time. With Lee Kang-in pulling the strings at Paris Saint-Germain and Kim Min-jae anchoring the defence at Bayern Munich, this is arguably the deepest South Korean squad ever. The challenge is reducing the side's over-reliance on Son and proving they can hurt elite defences across 90 minutes.

South Korea topped AFC third-round Group B to seal qualification in June 2025, finishing ahead of Jordan. Drawn into Group A alongside co-hosts Mexico, Czechia and South Africa, they face a genuine fight to reach the Round of 32 — but with Son at the helm and a growing European-based core, the knockout rounds are a realistic target.

Hong Myung-bo sets his side up in a flexible 4-2-3-1 that prioritises quick transitions and Son Heung-min's lethal finishing. Lee Kang-in provides the creative spark behind the striker, while Kim Min-jae's commanding presence at centre-back gives the backline a world-class foundation. Energy, discipline and rapid counter-attacks define the Taegeuk Warriors' approach.

South Korea's greatest moment came as 2002 co-hosts, when Guus Hiddink's side reached the semi-finals — beating Italy and Spain along the way — and finished fourth, still the best result by any Asian nation. They have qualified for 11 World Cups in total and advanced from the group stage again in 2010. In 2022 they reached the Round of 16 before falling to Brazil.

At the 2002 World Cup on home soil, substitute Ahn Jung-hwan scored a golden goal to knock Italy out in the last 16 — then saw his loan to Italian club Perugia famously cancelled as a result. South Korea's fourth-place finish remains the best by any Asian team.