Korea finds itself on tough road to North America
South Korea's national football team head coach Jurgen Klinsmann speaks during a press conference in Seoul, June 22. AP-Yonhap
By John Duerden
While Korea's women have been in action at the World Cup in Australia, the men now know who they will face on the road to their own global tournament. The 2026 World Cup will be held in the United States, Canada and Mexico and what looks like a tough qualifying qualification will begin later this year.
The good news is that Asia's allocation at the tournament is going to increase from four automatic spots to eight meaning that, barring catastrophe, the Taeguk Warriors should be able to extend their streak of appearances to 11. Only Brazil, Germany, Argentina and Spain can beat that. The bad news is that the first group stage ― in which the top two of the four teams progress to the final round of qualification ― is tougher than expected.
There will be home and away games against China, Thailand and the winner of a play-off between Singapore and Guam. China was the second-highest ranked in the second pot of teams for the draw with Thailand the third-highest ranked in the third. Newly appointed coach Jurgen Klinsmann said that he has a steep learning curve in Asian soccer but there are plenty of people at the Korea Football Association and in Korean soccer in general who know all about China and Thailand.
That doesn't mean that Korea should be scared but there could have been easier opposition. China is a famous underachiever in the men's version of the beautiful game and has a woeful record against its neighbor from across the West Sea. Yet, famously, China defeated Korea at home in qualification for the 2018 World Cup. Few will forget that atmosphere in the Middle Kingdom as the host prepared for the “Changsha War.” China won 1-0 to put Korea's qualification chances in doubt. There is sure to be another electric atmosphere when the two meet as China will see the home game as the biggest in years. Both games, home and away, will be far from easy.
The Thailand match will also be difficult. The War Elephants are back as the No. 1 team in Southeast Asia and this is a team full of talented stars. Again, playing in Bangkok is one of the tougher assignments in Asian soccer and there will be quite an atmosphere. Traditionally, Korean coaches have underestimated the quality of soccer in Southeast Asia and while this attitude may be slowly changing, it is up to Klinsmann to take Thailand very seriously.
The good news is that Thailand and China should take points off each other. Korea is still strongly favored to progress to the next stage but this first group is harder than it could have been. Perhaps that will turn out to be a good thing and give Klinsmann a chance to get his hands dirty after four friendly games without a win after he was appointed in February. This is a steep learning curve but the German needs to get it right or there could be some panic back at KFA headquarters.