Former national team players see promise, peril in Korea's World Cup path

MEXICO CITY — For all the optimism surrounding Korea's path to the FIFA World Cup 2026, the team stands at an unusual crossroads: They have a real opportunity to reach new heights, and at the same time, also face the danger of falling painfully short. At least that's how former Korean internationals Ki Sung-yueng, Koo Ja-cheol and Park Joo-ho see it.

“This is a group that offers real possibilities,” said Park, a former midfielder at FC Basel. “We could be talking about a first-place finish in the group matches — or, if things go wrong, an early exit from the bottom of the table."

The three players have amassed 226 international caps combined. Each has played on World Cup pitches more than once.  

Ki, who played against Mexico in a 1-2 defeat at the FIFA World Cup 2018, said Mexico “no longer carries the same weight it did eight years ago.”

“Compared with the 2018 team that had players like Hirving Lozano, Mexico looks less formidable,” Ki said. “Unlike previous World Cup opponents such as Algeria and Ghana, South Africa lacks star power and has few international players.”

Korea — as a Group A nation — will face the Czech Republic at 8 p.m. on Thursday. It will then face Mexico and South Africa.

However, Ki cautioned that the Czech Republic’s physical presence could pose a major challenge.

“In the 2018 World Cup match against Sweden, which we lost 1-0, every set piece felt risky,” he said. “The [Korean] players will feel the same intimidation when four players standing 1.9 meters [6 feet, 3 inches] or taller come charging into the penalty area.”

Ki praised the overall composition of the Korean squad but expressed concerns about tactical adjustments.

“The balance between experienced and younger players is good,” he said. “But there is some uncertainty because the team has shifted from a back four strategy to a back three. I’m also concerned about whether there is a reliable replacement if Hwang In-beom of Feyenoord is not at full fitness.”

Park added that he was eager to see who would partner with Kim Min-jae of Bayern Munich.

“I’m also both excited and a little worried about how Lee Gi-hyuk of Gangwon will perform after his surprise call-up,” he said.

The former internationals also stressed the importance of adapting to new tournament regulations.

Park compared the three-minute hydration breaks at the 22nd minute of each half to “basketball timeouts.”

“Coaches can make tactical adjustments during those breaks,” he said. “If the match is not going as they planned, they might even make a bold substitution just 20 minutes into the first half.”

Park also noted a new antiracism regulation under which players can be sent off for covering their mouths while speaking to opponents.

“Technically, that would mean I couldn’t even cover my mouth and ask ‘did you sleep well?’ to Mohamed Salah, my former teammate at [Swiss club] FC Basel,” he said. “Since Korea is in Group A, we could end up becoming an example if the rule is enforced strictly.”

Players making their World Cup debut will wear a special “debut patch” above the right side of their chest.

"It looks like one of those new driver stickers you see on cars," Park joked.

“Even Erling Haaland, despite being a Premier League Golden Boot winner, would have to wear one because this is his first World Cup,” Ki added with a laugh.

Ki singled out Oh Hyeon-gyu of Besiktas, also making his World Cup debut, as a player to watch. 

“When I — as a player on FC Seoul — faced him while Oh was at Suwon Samsung Bluewings, I had a strong feeling he was destined for greatness,” Ki said. “I don’t think he’ll be intimidated by the occasion.”

Park selected France winger Michael Olise of Bayern Munich as a player to also keep an eye on, while Ki pointed to Japanese midfielder Kaishu Sano of FSV Mainz 05.

"His energy and work rate are reminiscent of Park Ji-sung.”

Koo reserved special praise for Japan.

“Since the 2002 World Cup, Japan has pursued a century-long vision and modeled much of its system on German football,” Koo said. “They beat England at Wembley in March and have strung together wins against teams ranked in the FIFA top 10.”

Ki also agreed on Japan's improved competitiveness.

“Even with Kaoru Mitoma of Brighton and Hove Albion injured, their best 11 is incredibly strong, and their squad depth is on another level compared with ours,” Ki said.

“Their passing is sharp, and they’ve become much more physical. They’re no longer afraid of contact. As [Koo] Ja-cheol said, Japan winning the World Cup is no longer beyond the realm of possibility," Ki added.

Asked to name their contenders for the title, Koo picked England under Thomas Tuchel, his former coach at FSV Mainz 05, and also included Japan.

Ki selected Spain. Park chose Argentina.

For the top scorer race, the trio named Harry Kane of England, Kylian Mbappé of France and Haaland of Norway. They noted that Haaland could pile up goals against weaker opposition, much as he did at the FIFA U-20 World Cup Poland 2019, when he scored an astonishing nine goals against Honduras in a single group stage match.

The tournament could also represent the final World Cup appearance for both Lee Jae-sung of 1. FSV Mainz and Son Heung-min of the Los Angeles FC.

“They, as senior players on the squad, will be carrying enormous pressure given the circumstances surrounding the national team,” Ki said. “That makes me want to support him even more.”

Park envisioned a dream scenario.

“I can picture Lee Kang-in of Paris Saint-Germain delivering an early cross, Lee Jae-sung flicking it on with a header and Son finishing the move,” Park said. “I hope that ends up being the winning goal in the opening match.”

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BY PARK LIN [[email protected]]