South Korea

Profile

The Taegeuk Warriors qualify for an 11th straight World Cup, a run of consistency unmatched anywhere in Asia. Son Heung-min leads what is almost certainly his final World Cup campaign, now in MLS after legendary stints in Europe, but the Korean squad around him is arguably stronger than it has ever been. Lee Kang-in has developed into one of the world's best attacking midfielders at PSG, while Kim Min-jae anchors a Bayern Munich back line with commanding authority. Coach Hong Myung-bo has restored belief after the turbulent years following the 2022 round-of-16 exit on penalties against Brazil. South Korea are more than capable of replicating their stunning group-stage upsets of 2022 — when they beat Portugal to advance — and will not be underestimated by anyone in Group A. Topping a group containing Mexico and Czechia is a realistic and motivating goal.

South Korea fixtures

Players to watch

• Son Heung-min

  Forward · LAFC

  South Korea's greatest modern player, Son scored 17 Premier League goals in a single season and won the Golden Boot. Now in MLS, his pace, two-footedness and devastating finishing still make him the most feared attacker in Asian football at any World Cup.

• Lee Kang-in

  Midfielder · Paris Saint-Germain

  A technically gifted playmaker who lit up Ligue 1 with his vision, dribbling and dead-ball delivery. Lee Kang-in has become the engine of both PSG and South Korea's attacking game, threading passes through defences with a maturity beyond his years.

• Kim Min-jae

  Defender · Bayern Munich

  One of the best centre-backs in world football, Kim Min-jae combined elite aerial power with ball-playing ability at Napoli before moving to Bayern. His commanding performances in the Bundesliga make him the defensive cornerstone South Korea has always needed at a World Cup.

Group A table