Korean coach Hong Myung-bo gives tactical instructions during the match against Czech Republic at the 2026 North America World Cup in Guadalajara Stadium, Mexico. [Photo=Yonhap News]
The South Korean national soccer team stands on the brink of making history by qualifying for the knockout stage of the FIFA World Cup for the second consecutive tournament.
Under the guidance of coach Hong Myung-bo, the team will face South Africa in their final group match on June 25 at 10 a.m. KST at the Estadio BBVA in Monterrey, Mexico.
Currently sitting in second place in Group A with one win and one loss (3 points), South Korea can secure advancement to the Round of 32 with just a draw against fourth-place South Africa (1 draw, 1 loss; 1 point). If they qualify, it will mark only the fourth time in history that South Korea has progressed past the group stage and the first time they have reached the knockout rounds in consecutive tournaments. A victory would also represent the first two wins for South Korea in an away World Cup and the first for a Korean coach.
However, optimism must be tempered. To achieve their goal, the team must overcome three significant challenges: extreme heat, strict officiating, and a historical jinx against African teams. The climate in Monterrey is particularly daunting, as it is the second hottest city among the tournament venues, with temperatures expected to feel like 40 degrees Celsius due to high humidity (50-70%) during the match, which kicks off at 7 p.m. local time on June 24. This could lead to severe fatigue and diminished focus in the second half.
Coach Hong expressed confidence during a press conference on June 24, stating, "The players are accustomed to Korea's hot and humid summers. We have prepared for the climate with high-altitude training, so it shouldn't significantly impact our performance."
The officiating by Argentine referee Facundo Tello also poses a potential challenge. Known for his strict rulings, Tello has previously issued red cards to ten players in his domestic league and handed out five yellow cards in the recent Canada-Bosnia and Herzegovina match. Players Lee Kang-in, Baek Seung-ho, and Lee Gi-hyeok, who each carry a yellow card, must maintain their composure against South Africa to avoid missing the Round of 32.
In terms of FIFA rankings, South Korea (ranked 23rd) holds a significant advantage over South Africa (61st). However, historical performance against African teams raises concerns; South Korea has only one win, one draw, and two losses against African nations in World Cup history, with their last victory dating back to the 2006 World Cup against Togo. On a positive note, South Korea has won its last two group stage matches in World Cup history, demonstrating strength in final group matches (3 wins, 2 draws, 5 losses overall).
KBSN analyst Kim Dae-gil remarked in a phone interview on June 24, "The match against South Africa is essentially a one-off game, so scoring first is crucial. If the game remains 0-0 for too long, it could become unfavorable for us. If we concede late in the second half, we might not have a chance to recover, putting us at risk of elimination. African teams tend to gain momentum after scoring first, so we need to take the initiative and score early to control the game."
Under the guidance of coach Hong Myung-bo, the team will face South Africa in their final group match on June 25 at 10 a.m. KST at the Estadio BBVA in Monterrey, Mexico.
Currently sitting in second place in Group A with one win and one loss (3 points), South Korea can secure advancement to the Round of 32 with just a draw against fourth-place South Africa (1 draw, 1 loss; 1 point). If they qualify, it will mark only the fourth time in history that South Korea has progressed past the group stage and the first time they have reached the knockout rounds in consecutive tournaments. A victory would also represent the first two wins for South Korea in an away World Cup and the first for a Korean coach.
However, optimism must be tempered. To achieve their goal, the team must overcome three significant challenges: extreme heat, strict officiating, and a historical jinx against African teams. The climate in Monterrey is particularly daunting, as it is the second hottest city among the tournament venues, with temperatures expected to feel like 40 degrees Celsius due to high humidity (50-70%) during the match, which kicks off at 7 p.m. local time on June 24. This could lead to severe fatigue and diminished focus in the second half.
Coach Hong expressed confidence during a press conference on June 24, stating, "The players are accustomed to Korea's hot and humid summers. We have prepared for the climate with high-altitude training, so it shouldn't significantly impact our performance."
The officiating by Argentine referee Facundo Tello also poses a potential challenge. Known for his strict rulings, Tello has previously issued red cards to ten players in his domestic league and handed out five yellow cards in the recent Canada-Bosnia and Herzegovina match. Players Lee Kang-in, Baek Seung-ho, and Lee Gi-hyeok, who each carry a yellow card, must maintain their composure against South Africa to avoid missing the Round of 32.
In terms of FIFA rankings, South Korea (ranked 23rd) holds a significant advantage over South Africa (61st). However, historical performance against African teams raises concerns; South Korea has only one win, one draw, and two losses against African nations in World Cup history, with their last victory dating back to the 2006 World Cup against Togo. On a positive note, South Korea has won its last two group stage matches in World Cup history, demonstrating strength in final group matches (3 wins, 2 draws, 5 losses overall).
KBSN analyst Kim Dae-gil remarked in a phone interview on June 24, "The match against South Africa is essentially a one-off game, so scoring first is crucial. If the game remains 0-0 for too long, it could become unfavorable for us. If we concede late in the second half, we might not have a chance to recover, putting us at risk of elimination. African teams tend to gain momentum after scoring first, so we need to take the initiative and score early to control the game."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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