AFC · Group A
FIFA World Cup 2026
South Korea
FIFA Ranking #22Coach Hong Myung-boKOR
Team quick answers
What group is South Korea in at World Cup 2026?
South Korea are in Group A with Czechia, Mexico, South Africa. The group is a four-team round-robin.
Who coaches South Korea and what is their FIFA ranking?
South Korea are coached by Hong Myung-bo, are FIFA-ranked #22, and use the team code KOR.
When does South Korea's group-stage campaign start?
South Korea's first group match is against Czechia on June 12, 2026 at Estadio Akron in Guadalajara. Their full group-stage window runs June 12, 2026 — June 25, 2026.
How can South Korea reach the knockout stage?
South Korea advance directly to the Round of 32 by finishing in the top two of Group A. If they finish third, they need to be one of the eight best third-placed teams across the 12 groups.
Team profile
South Korea arrive at FIFA World Cup 2026 as a competitive top-30 side, ranked #22 in the FIFA world rankings. Hong Myung-bo leads the squad after qualifying through the AFC qualifying pathway. They have been drawn into Group A, a four-team round-robin where the top two advance directly to the round of 32 and the third-placed team competes for one of eight best-third spots.
Confederation: AFC (Asia) — the continent with eight direct WC2026 places plus play-off qualifiers. South Korea's qualification campaign placed them among the eight or more sides representing their region at the expanded 48-team tournament.
South Korea share Group A with Czechia, Mexico, South Africa. Average FIFA rank of the group: #34.
South Korea's group-stage campaign runs from June 12, 2026 to June 25, 2026, with three matches over approximately two weeks.
FIFA World Cup 2026 is the first edition with 48 teams, hosted jointly by the United States, Canada and Mexico from 11 June to 19 July 2026. The expanded format means most teams need only finish in the top three of their group to keep playing.
