AFC · Group A
South Korea at FIFA World Cup 2026
South Korea qualified for the FIFA World Cup 2026, the first 48-team edition, hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico from June 11 to July 19, 2026.
Group A opponents
South Korea plays the following three teams in the group stage. Top 2 advance to the Round of 32; the 3rd-placed team can still advance via the best-3rd-placed playoff route (8 of 12 third-placed teams qualify).
South Korea fixtures
South Korea in the tournament
South Korea arrives at the 2026 World Cup ranked #23 in the FIFA World Ranking with a tournament strength rating of 72/100. AFC (Asia) sends 8 teams to 2026. South Korea, Japan, and Australia have all reached the knockout rounds in recent tournaments.
The 48-team format puts South Korea in Group A with Mexico, South Africa, Czechia. On FIFA ranking alone, the group averages #35, with South Korea in the middle of the pack. Top 2 advance automatically; the best 3rd-placed teams (8 of 12) also qualify for the Round of 32.
South Korea squad for World Cup 2026
Announced May 16, 2026 · 26 players · Head coach: Hong Myung-bo
Son Heung-min, now at LAFC after a record-breaking spell at Tottenham, leads South Korea for what is likely his last World Cup. Bayern's Kim Min-jae anchors the defence; Lee Kang-in (PSG) and Hwang In-beom add Premier League quality through the middle.
Goalkeepers3
- Jo Hyeon-woo(Ulsan)
- Kim Seung-gyu(FC Tokyo)
- Song Bum-keun(Jeonbuk)
Defenders10
- Kim Moon-hwan(Daejeon)
- Kim Min-jae(Bayern Munich)
- Kim Tae-hyon(Kashima Antlers)
- Park Jin-seob(Zhejiang)
- Seol Young-woo(Red Star Belgrade)
- Jens Castrop(Borussia Mönchengladbach)
- Lee Ki-hyuk(Gangwon)
- Lee Tae-seok(Austria Wien)
- Lee Han-beom(Midtjylland)
- Cho Yu-min(Sharjah)
Midfielders10
- Kim Jin-gyu(Jeonbuk)
- Bae Jun-ho(Stoke City)
- Paik Seung-ho(Birmingham City)
- Yang Hyun-jun(Celtic)
- Eom Ji-sung(Swansea)
- Lee Kang-in(Paris Saint-Germain)
- Lee Dong-gyeong(Ulsan)
- Lee Jae-sung(Mainz)
- Hwang In-beom(Feyenoord)
- Hwang Hee-chan(Wolves)
Forwards3
- Son Heung-minCaptain(LAFC)Captain; recently joined LAFC after his record-setting Tottenham career; likely last World Cup
- Oh Hyeon-gyu(Beşiktaş)
- Cho Gue-sung(Midtjylland)
Sources: Sky Sports. Squads may change due to injury or disciplinary action before the tournament.
Frequently asked questions about South Korea
When does South Korea play at the FIFA World Cup 2026?
South Korea plays 3 scheduled group-stage matches starting June 12, 2026. The opener is against CZE. See the full fixtures list below for every kickoff time and venue.
What group is South Korea in at the World Cup 2026?
South Korea is in Group A alongside Mexico, South Africa, Czechia. The top two from each group advance to the Round of 32, plus the 8 best 3rd-placed teams across all 12 groups.
What is South Korea's FIFA ranking?
South Korea entered the FIFA World Cup 2026 ranked #23 in the FIFA World Ranking. This places them in the top 25 globally. Rankings update through the qualification cycle.
Can South Korea win the World Cup 2026?
South Korea's pre-tournament strength rating is 72/100, derived from FIFA ranking, recent form, and squad depth. They are competitive group-stage participants; advancing to the knockouts would be a strong tournament. Try them in the bracket predictor to test your scenario.