The South Korean national soccer team was part of Port 1 in the third Asian qualifying round for the 2026 FIFA North-Central America World Cup, avoiding uncomfortable Japan and Iran.
However, there is a possibility that he will meet with Australia, which has not met in the World Cup qualifiers, and with former coaches who have now become “enemies.”
Korea ranked 22nd with 1,572.87 points in the world rankings released by FIFA on Tuesday. It is the third highest ranking among AFC member countries, following Japan (17th) and Iran (20th). Korea was only 1.58 points behind Australia (1,571.29 points), which was ranked 23rd.
The FIFA rankings announced this time will be based on port allocation for the third round of Asian qualifiers for the North and Central America World Cup to be held on July 27. The 18 teams that passed the second round will be divided into six ports, three teams in order of FIFA ranking.
Port 1 included Japan, Iran and South Korea. Australia, Qatar (35th), and Iraq (55th) were included in Port 2, followed by Saudi Arabia (56th), Uzbekistan (62nd), and Jordan (68th).
The UAE (69th), Oman (76th), Bahrain (81st) and China (88th), Palestine (95th), and Kyrgyzstan (101st). North Korea (110th), Indonesia (134th), and Kuwait (137th) were included in the list of the most underdogs.
However, teams that belong to the same pot do not belong to the same group. As a result, Korea will avoid Japan and Iran, which are burdensome opponents, in the third qualifying round.
Asia has 8.5 tickets to participate in the North and Central America World Cup. The first and second-ranked teams in each group will automatically advance to the finals, while the third and fourth-ranked teams in each group will have the fourth round. In the fourth round, six teams will compete in two groups again, and the top-ranked teams in each group will qualify for the finals. After that, the fourth round of the finals and an intercontinental playoff will take place for the last 0.5 tickets.
There is a possibility of advancing to the fourth place in the third qualifying round, but to avoid the thorny road, you need to win a ticket to North Korea, China and the U.S. early. However, the result of the draw is important because it is the third qualifying round with fewer weak teams and many variables.
We cannot relax as strict teams are playing in different ports of the upcoming third round qualifying round. There are some teams that would not be strange even if they join Port 1. On top of that, Saudi Arabia in Port 3, the UAE in Port 4, and North Korea in Port 6 are also players that South Korea wants to avoid.
Notably, Australia could face South Korea in the World Cup qualifying round for the first time since joining the AFC in 2006. Australia has participated in the Asian qualifying round since the 2010 South African Games, but has never been in a group with South Korea.
Earlier, South Korea won a dramatic 2-1 comeback against Australia in the quarterfinals of the 2023 AFC Asian Cup, but struggled throughout the game due to Australia’s solid defense.
As the third qualifying round is conducted in a home-and-away format, long-distance travel to Australia is another cause for concern. Korea had only one win, two draws and four losses in previous away A matches with Australia.
It’s a long time ago record, but when Australia was in the Oceania Football Federation (OFC), it has never won a World Cup qualifying match with four draws and three losses.
On top of that, the team that advanced to the third qualifying round has two former coaches who are familiar with Korean soccer, which is worrisome. They are Indonesian coach Shin Tae-yong and UAE coach Paulo Bento.
Coach Shin took charge of the national team by age, led the national team at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, and Bento also made a history of advancing to the round of 16 for the first time in 12 years at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. 스포츠토토
The two coaches are successfully leading the team, taking charge of Indonesia and the UAE, respectively. Shin advanced Indonesia to the third qualifying round for the first time, and Bento easily passed the second qualifying round with stable performance.
South Korea had a showdown with its former coach in the third qualifying round for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. At the time, the team met with coach Dick Advocaat, who was at the helm of Iraq, twice to record one win and one draw, which was also tied 0-0 after a poor match at home.