Korean fans celebrate escaping the group of death

The South Korean team avoided having to face strong candidates for the 2026 World Cup championship.

Son Heung-min and teammates avoid the group of death. Photo: Reuters .

After the 2026 World Cup group stage draw on the morning of December 6, coach Hong Myung-bo's team fell into group A with host Mexico, South Africa and the winner of the European play-off group D (Czech Republic, Ireland, Denmark or North Macedonia).

Experts say that South Korea was relatively lucky to avoid some tough opponents. In the first seed group, facing host Mexico is considered much easier than the other two hosts, the US or Canada, or big names like Argentina, France, Spain or England.

In the third seed group, South Korea also did not fall into a group with Norway, the team that owns striker Erling Haaland who is in explosive form.

Meanwhile, potential opponents from Europe competing for the last spot in Group A are not strong teams like Italy, Ukraine or Türkiye.

With this result, Korea's chances of advancing are considered quite bright. On social networks, fans expressed excitement. One fan wrote: "Here's our chance to get out of the group stage." Another fan commented: "Facing Mexico is probably the easiest draw in the first seed group, our chance has come."

However, coach Hong Myung-bo and his team still need to maintain stable performance to overcome Mexico right on their opponent's home field, as well as physically strong representatives like South Africa.

President Donald Trump jumped up and danced to the music as the Village People performed at the 2026 World Cup draw at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on the night of December 5.

Source: https://znews.vn/cdv-han-quoc-an-mung-vi-thoat-bang-tu-than-post1608870.html