With foes unveiled, Korea's hard work for 2026 FIFA World Cup starts now
Korea national team head coach Hong Myung-bo meets with the press after the 2026 FIFA World Cup draw at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., Dec. 5. Yonhap
It is fair to say that the only people disappointed with the draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be the Korean community in the United States. The Taeguk Warriors will be playing all three of their group games in Mexico, but given that the draw was relatively kind, Korea has a good chance of getting out of the group stage and into the second round — meaning a potential trip to the USA.
The draw that took place on Saturday morning Seoul time may have gone on forever, but now that the opponents are known, the countdown to next summer can begin.
Well, not all the opponents are known. The opening game is June 11, and that will come against the winner of one of the European playoffs. So Korea will kick off against either Denmark, Ireland, North Macedonia or the Czech Republic. Denmark is perhaps the most likely, but as opening games go, it could be a lot worse.
That is the general sense. The toughest test is expected to be co-hosts Mexico in the second game, which will take place in Zapopan, a few hours from Mexico City. But Korea has at least avoided a major heavyweight from Europe or South America.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino takes a selfie with U.S. President Donald Trump, Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum and Canadian Prime Minister Mike Carney during the 2026 FIFA World Cup Draw at the John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., Dec. 5. UPI-Yonhap
“I guess you could say it is a bit of a good thing for us,” head coach Hong Myung-bo said. “However, the home field advantage can play a huge role. When I think about the times when we were the home team, the home field advantage can help teams perform even better than what they’re capable of. There is no one that we can consider an easy team.”
That’s all correct, but Hong will be happy with a relatively gentle group, featuring South Africa as the third rival. Korea is ranked 22nd in the world, but Mexico is 13th and South Africa is way down at 61st. This is Bafana Bafana’s first World Cup appearance since it hosted the tournament in 2010, and a game in which Korea can get three points. Remember, the top two from each of the 12 groups go through, but the best eight third-placed teams also make it.
Anything less than a place in the Round of 32 would be disastrous, given the easier draw, but while coach Hong will be happy with how it has all gone, the same can be said of the other teams. Nobody will be too worried about facing Korea.
The FIFA Peace Prize, left, awarded to U.S. President Donald Trump at the 2025 World Cup Draw, and the FIFA World Cup Trophy sit in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, D.C., Dec. 6. UPI-Yonhap
“I was happy with Mexico and South Korea,” South Africa coach Hugo Broos said. “I hope the last one, it should be something else than what we have now. So now we will probably also have Denmark in our group.
“So we have with Mexico and Denmark, two very big teams. So it will be difficult for us to be in second or first. But on the other side now, with the new World Cup, the first eight of third places can go through.”
Korea should not be thinking the same; it should be looking for a top-two finish in the group. The hard work starts now.