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World Cup

South Korea

Competition: Coupe du Monde | Active season: 2026

KOR Group A
Group STAGE · Group
South Korea vs Czech Republic
Upcoming matches
Group STAGE · Group
Mexico vs South Korea
Upcoming matches
Group STAGE · Group
South Africa vs South Korea
Upcoming matches
Footlab Data

South Korea National Team Profile - 2026 World Cup Analysis

FIFA ranking #25 FIFA points · 1 588,66
Footlab Elo 1 571 Footlab rank · #27
Season: 2026
Group A
Group A

Group standings

Group A
# Team MJ G N P Diff Pts
1 Mexico 0 0 0 0 0 0
2 South Korea 0 0 0 0 0 0
3 Czech Republic 0 0 0 0 0 0
4 South Africa 0 0 0 0 0 0
Footlab Data

Statistiques détaillées

Matchs joués 50
Victoires 52,0%
Buts marqués / match 1,88
Buts encaissés / match 1,08
Clean sheets 44,0%
Les deux marquent 46,0%
+2.5 buts 52,0%
Points / match 1,86
Forme (5 matchs) L L W W W
Couverture stats avancées 56,0%
Forme (10 matchs) L L W W W L D W W W
Footlab Data

Footlab profile

Offensive potential 65,5/100
High
Defensive stability 53,0/100
Stable
Game control 52,2/100
Stable
Regularity 72,0/100
Very high
Mental resilience 40,9/100
Building
Footlab Data

South Korea National Team Profile - 2026 World Cup Analysis

11 Apr 2026

South Korea World Cup 2026: Data Analysis, Strengths, and Projection

South Korea enters the 2026 World Cup as the metronome of Asian football. With 11 consecutive appearances, the Taeguk Warriors have evolved: they no longer rely solely on legendary endurance but on a "Technical Verticality" profile. Led by world-class pillars (Son Heung-min, Kim Min-jae), they now blend elite defensive rigor with ultra-fast transition capabilities, able to punish any European or South American side on the counter.

Global Positioning

South Korea is positioned as the most disciplined outsider in the tournament. They are the "litmus test" team: their level of physical intensity is such that they force opponents to produce their best football to stand a chance of winning.

  • Status: Major Outsider / AFC Leader
  • Projection: Round of 16 (Consistent objective)
  • Risk: Dependency on individual sparks in the final third

Footlab Profile

Criteria Level
Attacking Potential High (Counter-attacks)
Defensive Stability High (Strong central axis)
Game Control Medium to High
Consistency Exceptional
Physical Fitness Elite (Global Top 5)

Structural Strengths

  • Tactical Discipline and Work Rate: A unique ability to maintain coordinated pressing and above-average running intensity for 90 minutes.
  • World-Class Defensive Core: The presence of defenders playing in Europe's top leagues secures the low block.
  • Lightning Transitions: A historical specialty in breaking forward immediately upon ball recovery.
  • Tournament Experience: A squad accustomed to global exposure that fears no opponent, regardless of FIFA ranking.

Structural Weaknesses

  • Creativity vs Low Blocks: Persistent difficulties in creating clear chances when the opponent refuses to commit and closes down spaces.
  • Squad Depth: A gap in tactical maturity between the starting XI and rotation options during a long tournament.
  • Defending Set-Pieces: Can be troubled by nations imposing a raw physical challenge and high aerial threat.
  • Handling Pressure: A tendency to drop too deep under prolonged technical pressure.

Tactical Brief

South Korea primarily operates in a dynamic 4-2-3-1 or a pragmatic 3-5-2:

  • Offensive Phase: Vertical play, immediate search for fast wingers, and runs in behind.
  • Defensive Phase: Compact mid-block, harassing pressing in the midfield.
  • Identity: "Total and generous" football where collective sacrifice is the priority.

Match Typology

  • Vs Weaker Teams: Strong territorial dominance, but often resulting in narrow victories.
  • Vs Similar Teams: Balanced possession battle often decided by late-game endurance.
  • Vs Top Tier Teams: Ideal "Banana Skin" profile; capable of frustrating the opponent and stinging them on an individual brilliance.

2026 Key Performance Factors

South Korea's success will primarily depend on:

  • the physical health of veteran leaders (Son Heung-min)
  • the emergence of a new creative guard in the midfield
  • their ability to convert dominant spells without wasting chances

Footlab Projection

South Korea possesses a Round of 16 ceiling. Their consistency and intensity make them a safe bet to progress through the group stage, especially with the new 48-team format.

Projection: Round of 16 (High statistical certainty)
Optimal Scenario: A quarter-final run driven by a collective upset against a top seed.

Betting Insights

  • ✔️ High potential in "Total Distance Covered" markets
  • ✔️ Interesting for "Goals after the 75th minute" (wearing down opponents)
  • ⚠️ Caution on "Win by 2+ goals" odds (scores are often tight)
  • ✔️ Value in "Double Chance" against European favorites lacking rhythm

Conclusion

South Korea is a guarantee of intense and disciplined football. In 2026, the Taeguk Warriors will be the ultimate physical hurdle for any nation dreaming of the world title.

Offer

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  • Comparator and dedicated modules reserved for pass holders.
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International history

Matches from the last 4 years

Friendlies · Friendly

Austria
vs
South Korea
1 - 0

Friendlies · Friendly

South Korea
vs
Ivory Coast
0 - 4

Friendlies · Friendly

South Korea
vs
Ghana
1 - 0

Friendlies · Friendly

South Korea
vs
Bolivia
2 - 0

Friendlies · Friendly

South Korea
vs
Paraguay
2 - 0

Friendlies · Friendly

South Korea
vs
Brazil
0 - 5

Friendlies · Friendly

Mexico
vs
South Korea
2 - 2

Friendlies · Friendly

United States
vs
South Korea
0 - 2

World Cup - Qualification Asia

South Korea
vs
Kuwait
4 - 0

World Cup - Qualification Asia

Iraq
vs
South Korea
0 - 2

World Cup - Qualification Asia

South Korea
vs
Jordan
1 - 1

World Cup - Qualification Asia

South Korea
vs
Oman
1 - 1

World Cup - Qualification Asia

Palestine
vs
South Korea
1 - 1

World Cup - Qualification Asia

Kuwait
vs
South Korea
1 - 3

World Cup - Qualification Asia

South Korea
vs
Iraq
3 - 2

World Cup - Qualification Asia

Jordan
vs
South Korea
0 - 2

World Cup - Qualification Asia

Oman
vs
South Korea
1 - 3

World Cup - Qualification Asia

South Korea
vs
Palestine
0 - 0

World Cup - Qualification Asia · Group C

South Korea
vs
China
1 - 0

World Cup - Qualification Asia · Group C

Singapore
vs
South Korea
0 - 7

World Cup - Qualification Asia · Group C

Thailand
vs
South Korea
0 - 3

World Cup - Qualification Asia · Group C

South Korea
vs
Thailand
1 - 1

Asian Cup · Semi Finals

Jordan
vs
South Korea
2 - 0

Asian Cup · Quarter Finals

Australia
vs
South Korea
1 - 2

Asian Cup · Round Of 16

Saudi Arabia
vs
South Korea
1 - 1

Asian Cup · Group STAGE · Group

South Korea
vs
Malaysia
3 - 3

Asian Cup · Group STAGE · Group

Jordan
vs
South Korea
2 - 2

Asian Cup · Group STAGE · Group

South Korea
vs
Bahrain
3 - 1

Friendlies · Friendly

Iraq
vs
South Korea
0 - 1

World Cup - Qualification Asia · Group C

China
vs
South Korea
0 - 3

World Cup - Qualification Asia · Group C

South Korea
vs
Singapore
5 - 0

Friendlies · Friendly

South Korea
vs
Vietnam
6 - 0

Friendlies · Friendly

South Korea
vs
Tunisia
4 - 0

Friendlies · Friendly

Saudi Arabia
vs
South Korea
0 - 1

Friendlies · Friendly

Wales
vs
South Korea
0 - 0

Friendlies · Friendly

South Korea
vs
El Salvador
1 - 1

Friendlies · Friendly

South Korea
vs
Peru
0 - 1

Friendlies · Friendly

South Korea
vs
Uruguay
1 - 2

Friendlies · Friendly

South Korea
vs
Colombia
2 - 2

Coupe du Monde · Round Of 16

Brazil
vs
South Korea
4 - 1

Coupe du Monde · Group STAGE · Group

South Korea
vs
Portugal
2 - 1

Coupe du Monde · Group STAGE · Group

South Korea
vs
Ghana
2 - 3

Coupe du Monde · Group STAGE · Group

Uruguay
vs
South Korea
0 - 0

Friendlies · Friendly

South Korea
vs
Iceland
1 - 0

Friendlies · Friendly

South Korea
vs
Cameroon
1 - 0

Friendlies · Friendly

South Korea
vs
Costa Rica
2 - 2

Friendlies · Friendly

South Korea
vs
Egypt
4 - 1

Friendlies · Friendly

South Korea
vs
Paraguay
2 - 2

Friendlies · Friendly

South Korea
vs
Chile
2 - 0

Friendlies · Friendly

South Korea
vs
Brazil
1 - 5