South Korea — World Cup 2026 Squad & Fixtures

South Korea reached the semi-finals as co-hosts in 2002, beating Italy in the round of 16, a golden goal by Ahn Jung-hwan after Francesco Totti's controversial sending-off, and Spain on penalties before a 1-0 loss to Germany. That run remains the best World Cup result by any Asian team, and it has defined South Korean football for a generation. They have appeared in 11 consecutive World Cups since 1986, the longest active streak from the continent, reaching the round of 16 in 2010 and 2022. The 2022 campaign included Hwang Hee-chan's stoppage-time goal against Portugal that sent them through on goals scored, a moment of drama that recalled 2002 without matching it. Getting out of the group is now routine; going deeper is the challenge.

South Korea qualified through the AFC pathway, topping their group with a campaign that showed the same qualities that have kept them at the top of Asian football for three decades: technical skill, tactical discipline, and results at home in Seoul. Jürgen Klinsmann's turbulent tenure ended in early 2024 after an Asian Cup semi-final loss, replaced by Hwang Sun-hong on an interim basis. The qualifying campaign stabilised under the transition, with Son Heung-min's individual quality covering structural gaps that a more organised manager might address. South Korea's depth of Europe-based players makes them one of the strongest squads in the confederation.

South Korea's 2026 campaign carries the weight of the 2002 semi-final and the reality that they have not matched it in five subsequent tournaments. Group D pairs them with France, Belgium, and New Zealand: the two European sides will dominate possession, but South Korea's transition pace through Son Heung-min can punish any high line. A round-of-16 appearance would maintain their recent tournament record; anything beyond that would require beating a top-ten side in a knockout match for the first time since 2002.

Son Heung-min cuts inside from the left wing and finishes with a consistency that has made him the most prolific Asian attacker in European football: his left foot from the edge of the box is South Korea's most dangerous weapon. Kim Min-jae defends with a physical dominance that allows South Korea's fullbacks to push forward: his recovery pace and his heading in both boxes give the team a foundation that Son's attacking runs depend on.