South Korea
Odds to win: 66/1
Overview
South Korea enter the 2026 World Cup with a proud tradition of Asian football excellence and a burning desire to recapture the magic of their remarkable 2002 run to the semifinals. The Taegeuk Warriors have qualified for every World Cup since 1986, demonstrating a consistency that few Asian nations can match. Under the current setup, the team is built around the extraordinary talents of Son Heung-min, the Tottenham Hotspur captain who is widely regarded as the greatest Asian footballer in history. Son's goal-scoring ability, pace, and two-footed finishing make him a threat against any defense in the world, and his experience in the Premier League has prepared him for the biggest stages. The midfield has been bolstered by the emergence of Lee Kang-in, whose technical quality at Paris Saint-Germain has made him one of the most creative players in Ligue 1. Kim Min-jae provides world-class quality at center-back, having established himself as a commanding presence at Bayern Munich. South Korea's style under recent management has been high-energy and well-organized, relying on quick transitions and the individual brilliance of their European-based players. The squad's depth has improved significantly, with more Korean players competing in Europe's top five leagues than ever before. However, the gap between Son and the rest of the attacking options remains a concern, and the team's ability to score against elite defenses without over-relying on their captain will be key to their tournament hopes.
Key Players
Son Heung-min
Forward · Tottenham Hotspur
Lee Kang-in
Midfielder · Paris Saint-Germain
Kim Min-jae
Defender · Bayern Munich
Hwang Hee-chan
Forward · Wolverhampton Wanderers
Jeong Woo-yeong
Midfielder · Union Berlin
World Cup History
South Korea's greatest World Cup moment came in 2002 as co-hosts, when they reached the semifinals under Guus Hiddink, defeating Spain and Italy along the way before losing to Germany. They finished fourth overall, the best result by any Asian nation in World Cup history. South Korea have qualified for 11 World Cups in total and have reached the group stage or beyond in most recent editions. They advanced from the group stage in 2010 as well.
Group A Opponents
Fun Fact
South Korea's 2002 World Cup campaign created such national euphoria that an estimated 22 million people, nearly half the country's population, gathered in public viewing areas across the nation to watch their semifinal against Germany.
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