South Korea World Cup 2026: Group A, Schedule, Squad & Results

South Korea at the 2026 World Cup

South Korea arrived at the 2026 FIFA World Cup as one of Asia's proudest football nations — a team whose 2002 semifinal run on home soil remains the deepest advance by any Asian side in tournament history. Drawn into Group A and seeded in Pot 2, the Taeguk Warriors opened their campaign with a gritty comeback that immediately signalled they intend to survive the group stage and push deeper into the knockout rounds.

This page tracks South Korea's 2026 World Cup in full: group, results, remaining fixtures, the live Group A table, and the players to watch.

Key Facts

Match Results So Far

South Korea 2–1 Czech Republic — June 11

South Korea's tournament opened with a comeback win. After falling behind to an early Czech goal, the Taeguk Warriors responded in the second half: Hwang In-beom drew level before Oh Hyeon-gu completed the turnaround. The 2–1 result puts South Korea on three points and in a strong early position inside Group A.

It was the kind of result that defines a tournament — absorbing pressure, staying compact, then striking. Coming from behind against a European opponent also gives the squad belief that they can grind out results when the group tightens.

Remaining Group Stage

South Korea still have two group matches to play:

The Mexico clash on June 18 is shaping up as the decisive Group A fixture — likely to determine who tops the group. The final matchday against South Africa on June 24 could then become a qualification or seeding decider depending on results.

Group A Table

Standings as of June 15:

South Korea sit second on goal difference, level with Mexico on points. A positive result against Mexico on MD2 would put qualification in their own hands.

What to Watch

• Son Heung-min — the captain and Tottenham icon remains South Korea's reference point in attack. His movement, leadership and finishing are the engine of the side; expect him to be marked tightly in every group game.
• Lee Kang-in — the creative heartbeat in midfield. His vision, set-piece delivery and ability to unlock deep defences are essential against opponents who will sit and counter.

Together, Son and Lee Kang-in give South Korea both the clinical edge and the creative supply line needed to escape Group A.

How South Korea Can Advance

Under the 2026 format, the top two teams in each group plus the eight best third-placed teams across all 12 groups reach the Round of 32. For South Korea the path is straightforward:

• Win the group or finish second — qualification guaranteed.
• Four points is usually enough — one more win or two draws from the final two matches very likely secures a top-two spot.
• Goal difference matters — South Korea currently trail Mexico on +1 vs +2, so the head-to-head on June 18 is also a tiebreaker battle.

A win against Mexico on June 18 would all but seal progression with a match to spare.

FAQ

Did South Korea win their first World Cup 2026 match?

Yes. South Korea came from behind to beat Czech Republic 2–1 on June 11, with goals from Hwang In-beom and Oh Hyeon-gu.

Who is South Korea's captain at the 2026 World Cup?

Son Heung-min captains the side. He is supported by playmaker Lee Kang-in as the team's main creative force.

What group is South Korea in?

South Korea is in Group A alongside Mexico, Czech Republic and South Africa.

When is South Korea's next match?

South Korea face Mexico on June 18, then South Africa on June 24 in their remaining Group A fixtures.

Note: FIFA Super Soccer Wiki is an independent fan site. We are not affiliated with FIFA, the KFA, or the game's developers. Match data on this page is sourced from public tournament reports as of June 16, 2026.