Coach Hong Myung-bo heads to Washington for World Cup draw

Hong Myung-bo, manager of the Korean men's national football team, reacts during a friendly match against Ghana at Seoul World Cup Stadium in Seoul, Nov. 18. Yonhap

It’s that time again — the draw for the World Cup takes place Saturday morning, Seoul time. When fans wake up, Korea’s three group opponents will be known, the excitement will move up a level, and the planning can really start.

For the 11th time in a row, Korea is involved. It really is a remarkable streak. The last time it didn’t happen was way back in 1982. You have to be in your 50s to remember a World Cup without the Taeguk Warriors.

You don’t have to be quite so old to remember the last time the tournament took place in the United States. That was 1994, when Korea finished third in Group C behind Germany and Spain. Hong Myung-bo scored in both of those games, and he now returns to the U.S. as Korea’s head coach.

Members of the Korean men's national football team pose ahead of a friendly match against Ghana at Seoul World Cup Stadium in Seoul, Nov. 18. Yonhap

There is some optimism. The tournament has been expanded from 32 teams to 48. Whatever the rights and wrongs of that decision, it not only takes the pressure off during qualification, with Asia sending eight teams instead of four, it also makes getting to the knockout stages easier. The top two from each of the 12 groups of four will advance to the second round, along with the eight best third-place teams.

Back in 2022, Korea made it through to the Round of 16, but only just. It needed a last-minute goal from Hwang Hee-chan against Portugal to seal the deal. That booked a place in the Round of 16. Coach Hong wants to reach the same stage next summer.

Also, in Korea’s favor is being in Pot Two. The 48 teams are divided into four pots, with the three co-hosts — the U.S., Canada and Mexico — joining the top nine seeds in the first group. So Korea will, in theory, face one stronger team (or a host) and two weaker. It may not work out that way, but regardless, it is better to be in the second pot than in the third.

Hong Myung-bo, left, manager of the Korean men's national football team, and Korea captain Son Heung-min attend a press concerence at Seoul World Cup Stadium in Seoul, Nov. 17, on the eve of a a friendly match against Ghana as part of preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the U.S. Yonhap

So it could be a tough draw such as Brazil, Norway and Italy, or it could be something like Canada, Panama and Cape Verde. There have been articles written in many countries talking about what kind of draw they would like. It has been said more than once that Korea would be one of the more welcome opponents in Pot 2. That is not a surprise, considering the pot includes strong teams such as Croatia, Uruguay and Morocco, who have all made the semifinals or finals in recent tournaments.

There’s nothing wrong with that. Korea’s form has not been impressive for some time. Nobody will be scared of the Taeguk Warriors, but there is no reason for Asia’s most successful World Cup team to be scared, either.

We will find out this weekend in Washington. It looks like Hong will meet with President Donald Trump, and while that could be an interesting encounter, his mind will be on other things. The countdown starts now.

Hong Myung-bo, manager of the Korean men's national football team, arrives at Incheon International Airport, Dec. 3, to depart for Washington D.C., the site of the 2026 FIFA World Cup draw at the Kennedy Center. Yonhap