Korea RepublicGroup A · AFC · FIFA #25 · Elo 1756
📅 Group A: vs Czechia · Mexico · South Africa
The Taeguk Warriors arrive at their 12th World Cup buoyed by an unbeaten qualification and the talismanic Son Heung-min (LAFC) leading an increasingly Europe-rich squad, blending veteran nous with emerging talent in a side that presses high and transitions at pace.
Korea Republic is the only Asian team ever to reach a World Cup semi-final, doing so on home soil in 2002.
Son Heung-min became the first South Korean to win the Premier League Golden Boot (2021-22, joint) and is making his fourth World Cup appearance.
Jens Castrop — born in Germany to a Korean mother — switched allegiance to Korea Republic and is one of three German-based Koreans in the squad.
Korea Republic topped AFC Group B in qualifying with six wins and four draws, becoming the only Asian side unbeaten across the entire third-round campaign.
Lee Kang-in became the first Korean ever to win the UEFA Champions League, lifting the trophy with PSG in May 2025 — and he arrives at his second World Cup as one of Korea's key creators.
Ahn Jung-hwan's golden goal dumped Italy out of the 2002 World Cup — and the furious owner of his Italian club Perugia tore up his contract, vowing the Korean would never play for them again.
South Korea's 1954 World Cup debut came after an exhausting multi-day journey to Switzerland — and it showed: a 9-0 loss to Hungary's Mighty Magyars that still ranks among the heaviest defeats in tournament history.
The big number is the player's EA FC 26 (FIFA 26) overall rating; for players not in the game it's estimated from market value & role.
Tip: click any player for full details, or “✨ Get to know Korea Republic” up top for trivia & the anthem. OVR = EA FC 26 (FIFA 26) rating; for players not in the game it's estimated from market value.
Czechia
Mexico
South Africa