For South Korean football, one date never fades from memory: June 22, 2002. The day the Taeguk Warriors — the South Korean national team — defeated Germany in the semi-final of a World Cup held on home soil, reaching the last four in one of the greatest sporting stories ever told. Two decades later, South Korea arrive at FIFA World Cup 2026 in the United States with a generation of European-trained players, a legendary captain in Son Heung-min, and a nation that dreams of recreating that magic on the biggest stage.
South Korea are placed in Group A alongside Mexico, South Africa, and Czechia — a challenging but entirely manageable group for a team with Korea’s quality. Their first match was against Czechia on June 11, at Estadio Akron in Guadalajara, Mexico. The tone set in that opening match will define how Korea approach the crucial encounters against Mexico and South Africa that follow.
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Son Heung-min – The Captain and Icon Saying Goodbye
Son Heung-min is not just South Korea’s best player. He is the greatest South Korean footballer in history — a forward whose 17-year Premier League career with Tottenham Hotspur has seen him score over 170 goals in the English top-flight, win the Premier League Golden Boot, and establish himself as one of the most beloved players in world football for over a decade. At 34, FIFA World Cup 2026 is almost certainly Son’s final World Cup. His combination of pace, technical skill, left-foot finishing from wide positions, and remarkable professionalism has made him a role model for an entire generation of Korean football players.
Every South Korean football fan will be watching Son at this World Cup with the bittersweet awareness that this is the last time they will see their captain compete for the ultimate prize. Son’s motivation — to replicate or even surpass the 2002 generation’s achievements — is the central emotional narrative of Korea’s campaign. If South Korea reach the quarter-finals, it will largely be because Son has produced World Cup performances worthy of his extraordinary career.
South Korea’s Squad – The Post-Son Generation Arrives
South Korea’s squad for FIFA World Cup 2026 is not solely built around Son. The generation of players who have emerged from Korean football in Son’s wake includes some of the most technically developed players in Asian football. Multiple squad members compete in European leagues — from the Premier League to the Bundesliga and beyond — bringing technical sophistication and physical conditioning to the Korean setup.
South Korea’s midfield has developed significantly. Their central midfielders can control tempo, press high, and contribute to both attacking build-up and defensive recovery. The defensive unit has benefited from players with extensive European club experience and the tactical understanding to organise compactly against teams with significant attacking quality. Their goalkeeper position has been stable and reliable in major tournament qualification.
Group A – How South Korea Can Advance
Group A contains Mexico (co-host, strong home support throughout), South Africa (returning World Cup nation), and Czechia (European quality). For South Korea, the group presents an achievable path to the Round of 32.
Czechia were Korea’s opening opponents on June 11 — a European nation with technical quality and physical intensity. A result against Czechia in the group opener sets Korea up well for the remainder of the group.
South Africa — playing their first World Cup since 2010 — are physically competitive and emotionally motivated. However, South Korea’s technical and tactical quality exceeds South Africa’s current level, and a win in this match is achievable with the right preparation.
Mexico are the group’s greatest challenge — playing on effectively home soil throughout their group matches, with Mexican fans in every venue across the three host countries. Korea’s match against Mexico will be one of the most intense Group A encounters and will likely determine which two teams advance from this group.
South Korea’s Tactical Approach
South Korea under their coaching setup typically deploy a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 system that maximises Son’s wide threat while providing midfield stability and defensive organisation. Son operates predominantly from the left side, cutting inside on his left foot into central positions to shoot — a movement that generates the highest percentage of Korean goal opportunities.
Korea’s pressing intensity has improved significantly in recent years. They now press higher up the pitch and with greater coordination than the defensive, counter-attacking Korean sides of previous generations. This pressing approach, combined with Son’s explosive transitions and the technical quality of their midfield, makes them a genuinely dangerous team against any group-stage opponent.
The 2002 Legacy – Inspiration or Pressure?
The shadow of 2002 hangs over every Korean World Cup campaign. No tournament since has matched that achievement. But the 2002 generation — with Ahn Jung-hwan, Park Ji-sung, and others — was extraordinary in a way that may never be repeated. The current generation has different qualities, plays in a different tactical era, and faces a different competitive landscape.
Rather than trying to replicate 2002, the 2026 Taeguk Warriors are building their own identity. Son’s leadership, the squad’s European experience, and the team’s tactical development under modern coaching methodology give Korea a realistic chance of reaching the quarter-finals — the same stage at which they were eliminated in 2022 (on penalties against Portugal in the Round of 16).
Our prediction: South Korea advance from Group A in second place behind Mexico, then face a competitive Round of 32 match. Son scores at least twice in the group stage, providing moments for Korean fans to treasure from their captain’s final World Cup.
South Korea’s Group A Schedule
- Match 1: South Korea vs Czechia – June 11, 10:00 PM ET | Estadio Akron, Guadalajara | 3:00 AM BST June 12 / 7:30 AM IST June 12
- Match 2: South Korea vs South Africa – June 18, Noon ET | Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta
- Match 3: Mexico vs South Korea – June 18, 9:00 PM ET | SoFi Stadium, Inglewood
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is South Korea’s best FIFA World Cup result?
South Korea’s best World Cup result is reaching the semi-finals at the 2002 FIFA World Cup, which they co-hosted with Japan. They defeated Poland, USA, Spain, and Germany before losing to Germany in the semi-final and then losing the third-place play-off to Turkey. It remains the greatest achievement in Korean football history.
Which group is South Korea in at FIFA World Cup 2026?
South Korea are in Group A alongside Mexico, South Africa, and Czechia.
Is Son Heung-min playing for South Korea at FIFA World Cup 2026?
Yes. Son Heung-min is the South Korea captain and their most important player. At 34, this is expected to be his final FIFA World Cup appearance.
What time is South Korea’s first match at FIFA World Cup 2026?
South Korea vs Czechia kicked off on June 11 at 10:00 PM ET (Guadalajara local time). In India, that is 7:30 AM IST on June 12. In the UK, it is 3:00 AM BST on June 12.
How many World Cup goals has Son Heung-min scored?
Son Heung-min has scored goals in previous World Cup tournaments and remains South Korea’s most reliable goal threat. His total across World Cup history continues to grow with each tournament appearance, and FIFA World Cup 2026 will likely be his highest-profile goal opportunity given the team’s preparation and his motivation to finish on the highest note possible.
Track South Korea’s complete Group A campaign, results, and analysis at theOpenHandbook’s FIFA World Cup 2026 hub. Updated after every match.
