South Korea has officially learned its schedule for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, set to be held across the United States, Canada, and Mexico from June 11 to July 19. The Taeguk Warriors, currently ranked No. 22 in the FIFA rankings, were drawn into Group A during the draw held on Friday at the Kennedy Center in Washington.
South Korea's Group A opponents include host nation Mexico, South Africa, and the winner of UEFA Playoff D. The UEFA Playoff D will be contested between Denmark, North Macedonia, Czech Republic, and Ireland.
Here's a breakdown of South Korea's schedule:
- June 12: South Korea vs. UEFA Playoff D Winner at Estadio Akron, Guadalajara. The game is scheduled for 10 p.m. ET. For fans in South Korea, the game will be in the morning of June 13.
- June 19: Mexico vs. South Korea at Estadio Akron, Guadalajara. The match is scheduled for 9 p.m. ET.
- June 25: South Africa vs. South Korea at Estadio BBVA, Monterrey. The game is scheduled for 9 p.m. ET.
All of South Korea's group stage matches will be played in Mexico, reducing travel demands for the team.
South Korea secured their spot in the 2026 World Cup by topping their groups in both Round Two and Round Three of the Asian (AFC) qualifiers. They were the only undefeated side in the AFC qualifiers. Star player Son Heung-min led the team with 10 goals during the qualifiers, making him the joint-second top scorer in the AFC. This will be South Korea's 11th consecutive World Cup appearance and Son's fourth overall.
The 2026 World Cup will feature an expanded format with 48 teams divided into 12 groups of four. This expansion provides more opportunities for nations to participate in the prestigious tournament. The top two teams from each group, along with the eight best third-place finishers, will advance to a new round of 32, which starts the single-elimination phase. The tournament will feature 104 matches overall.
The World Cup final is scheduled for July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The kick-off time is set for 3 p.m. EDT, which will be prime-time viewing in Europe.
With the schedule now set, South Korea can focus on preparing for their matches against Mexico, South Africa, and the UEFA Playoff D winner. Fans around the world are eagerly anticipating the start of the tournament.
