South Korea Temporarily Second in 2026 World Cup Group A After Victory

The South Korean national football team is currently in second place in Group A of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers following their opening match. The team achieved a 2-1 win over the Czech Republic on June 12. Ladislav Krejci scored first for the Czech Republic early in the second half, but South Korea responded with two goals from Hwang In Beom and Oh Hyeon Gyu to secure the three points. This victory places them in a strong position early in the tournament. The host nation, Mexico, also started with a win, defeating South Africa 2-0 in the opening game. This result means South Korea temporarily sits behind Mexico in the group standings, tied on points but with a lesser goal difference. The Czech Republic and South Africa occupy the remaining positions in the group. South Korea's next match will be against hosts Mexico, while the Czech Republic faces South Africa. The 2026 World Cup, featuring 48 teams, runs from June 12 to July 20 across North America, with a format that includes a 32-team knockout stage.