JTBC football commentator Park Ji-sung, a former member for the Korean national men's football squad, attends a press conference in Seoul, Thursday. Yonhap

Three-time World Cup veteran Park Ji-sung — who was part of Korea’s historic 2002 semifinal run, its first away World Cup victory in 2006 and the round of 16 finish in 2010 — believes Hong Myung-bo’s squad can advance deep into the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America.

With the tournament, starting June 11, expanding to 48 teams, 32 nations will progress from the group stage to the knockout rounds. Park predicted that Korea could not only survive the group stage, but also reach the round of 16, potentially playing five matches in a single overseas World Cup for the first time in the nation’s history.

He even suggested that Korea has a realistic chance of finishing first in Group A.

Park said that his optimism comes from what he sees as a highly favorable group draw and a schedule that could work strongly in Korea’s favor, especially regarding altitude adaptation.

Speaking on JTBC’s Newsroom on Tuesday, ahead of his role as a tournament commentator, Park said the group setup was the most encouraging factor.

“I think this is the best World Cup group draw Korea has ever had,” he said. “Looking at the players we have, I believe we’re capable of finishing first in this group.”

Members of Korea's national men's football team competing in the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the United States pose with a banner at Incheon International Airport, Monday, before departing for their pretournament training camp in Salt Lake City, Utah. Yonhap

Korea was drawn into Group A alongside host nation Mexico, Czech Republic and South Africa.

While none of the opponents are considered easy, many observers viewed the draw more favorably after the Czech Republic — rather than Denmark, a Euro 2020 semifinalist — emerged from the European playoffs to qualify. Park agreed with the assessment that this group appears less daunting than Korea’s 2010 group featuring Argentina, Greece and Nigeria.

Source: Korea Times News