Guide to South Korea at the 2022 World Cup

Reaction to South Korea making it to the last 16 of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, podcasts, interviews, news, and everything in between - absolutely all of our South Korea at the 2022 World Cup content all in one place. Last update: Saturday 3rd December, 18:00 KST.
Photo by JACK GUEZ / AFP) (Photo by JACK GUEZ/AFP via Getty Images)

Latest Articles

South Korea vs. Brazil Preview

South Korea pulled off the improbable defeating Portugal in their final group encounter to secure a place in the knockout phase of the World Cup. Next, they face Brazil, a tall test, but one they will be ready for, after a string of solid performances in the maiden phase of the competition. KLU's Branko Belan examines the talking points ahead of the clash.

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Portugal Preview here

Ghana Preview here

Uruguay Preview here

Analysis of South Korea's 2022 World Cup Group Stage

South Korea scored four goals in the group stage of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, that's slightly above their average from their previous nine finals appearances at 3.22. The most Korea has ever scored in a World Cup group stage was in 2010 with five which was, of course, the last time the Taeguk Warriors reached the last 16. Their lowest goal tally was in 1990 when just one goal was scored.

In terms of goals conceded, four is below the average of 5.22. The most was in 1998 when Korea shipped nine while the lowest was in 2002 with just one goal conceded.

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We have to be very careful' - Brazil manager Tite on South Korea clash

Brazil manager Tite says that the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar Round of 16 clash with South Korea will be "different" from the 5-1 friendly demolition in Seoul earlier this year and that his team will need to be " very careful" to avoid falling victim to a giant-killing.

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Neymar could return in time for South Korea clash

Brazil star Neymar could be fit for Brazil's 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar Round of 16 clash with South Korea on Monday, according to ti the Brazil team's medical department. The Paris Saint Germain forward suffered an ankle injury in Brazil's group stage win over Serbia.

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Cho Yu-min becomes Daejeon Hana Citizen's first-ever World Cup player

It may have only been a short cameo off the bench, just five minutes in fact with Cho Yu-min slotting in at right centre back alongside Jung Woo-young and Kwon Kying-won in a three with Kim Moon-hwan and Kim Jin-su the two wing backs, but the 25-year-old defender has made Daejeon club history.

Cho has become the first Daejeon Citizen player, Hana era or otherwise, to play in a FIFA World Cup match for South Korea.

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Korea's Adversaries

Korea's World Cup Adversaries: Brazil

The group stages are now behind us in the 2022 FIFA World Cup and it becomes a surprise to many that the Korean Republic are still fighting in this competition. The Taegeuk Warriors edged into 2nd place of their group dramatically to book their ticket into the round of 16.

Celebrations will now have to be put back on hold as they have the task of facing tournament favourites Brazil in the next round of games. Michael Redmond looks at the South American outfit leading into this one.

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Portugal here

Ghana here

Uruguay here

KLU Pod South Korea Vs. Brazil Preview + Portugal Victory Reaction

KLU Podcast LIVE

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News Updates

Brazil star Neymar could be fit for Brazil's 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar Round of 16 clash with South Korea on Monday, according to ti the Brazil team's medical department. The Paris Saint Germain forward suffered an ankle injury in Brazil's group stage win over Serbia.

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K League Internationals: South Korea reach Round of 16

A Kim Young-gwon equaliser against Portugal on Friday helped South Korea secure a place in the last 16 of the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar. South Korea came from behind and booked their knockout stage berth in dramatic fashion, too, thanks to an injury-time winner at Education City Stadium in Doha.

South Korea on Friday secured a place in the last 16 of the World Cup thanks to a 2-1 comeback win over Portugal in their final match of Group H.

It's the first time the Taeguk Warriors have made it out of the group since 2010 and is only the second time in their history.

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K League Internationals: Cho Gue-sung enters World Cup history books

Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors and South Korea striker Cho Gue-sung has entered the World Cup history books by becoming the first Asian player to score two headers in a single World Cup match.

He is, according to Opta Stats, also the first South Korean player to score two goals in a single World Cup match.

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Other Articles

Cho Gue-sung is attracting interest from Europe, says Lee Young-pyo

Former South Korean international Lee Young-pyo says that he has been contacted by a big club in Europe about striker Cho Gue-sung.

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Player Profiles

K League Internationals: South Korea's World Cup Goalkeepers

Jo Hyeon-woo rose to fame during the last World Cup after making a string of impressive saves during South Korea's group stage campaign. Jo, while playing for Daegu FC, made his South Korea debut in November 2017 under Shin Tae-yong in a 1-1 draw against Serbia. His first cleansheet came against North Korea in the EAFF E-1 Football Championship two months later. He has gone on to make 22 caps and keep eight cleansheets. 

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K League Internationals: South Korea's World Cup Defenders

The most experienced of the K League contingent with 96 caps, Kim Young-gwon is expected to slot in alongside Kim Min-jae at the heart of South Korea's defense. The 2022 season Kim's first in K League having spent his career abroad, starting with FC Tokyo and Omiya Ardija in Japan. The Jeonju-born centre back then spent a six-year, trophy-laden spell in the Chinese Super League with Guangzhou Evergrande where he won multiple league titles, cups, and AFC Champions Leagues. 

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K League Internationals: South Korea's Midfielders and Forwards

Kwon Chang-hoon has been an established name in this South Korean side for some time now, making his international debut way back in 2015, yet finds himself only now heading to his first World Cup. Kwon made his professional club debut back in 2013, coming through the ranks at Suwon Samsung Bluewings and found himself in the K League's end-of-year Best XIs for both 2015 and 2016. His performances were enough to earn a move overseas, signing for Dijon in 2017 before moving to Freiburg in 2019. 

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2022 FIFA World Cup: Made in K League

Although Kim Min-jae began his football career with Gyeongju KHNP in the National League (third tier), he made his name in K League with Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors. He burst onto the scene with the Green Warriors that year, making 29 league appearances and scoring two goals to help Jeonbuk win back the title. It would be the first of two titles Kim would win while at Jeonju Castle, the second came the following season before moving to Chinese Super League side Beijing FC. While in K League, Kim was named in the Best XI for two years straight. 

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South Korea Squad for the World Cup

Paulo Bento: "These are the 26 players we selected for the World Cup. Before I answer your questions I would just like to say that we have another player that will go with us to Qatar, that is Oh Hyeon-gyu (Suwon Bluewings). He is not in the list, are already talked with him, we explained the situation. He's going to Qatar to make part of the group, training with the team. If everything goes well as we expect and as we wish, he will stay out of the list in case something happens with some player that is connected with his position he will be in the final list."

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Cho Gue-sung (R) comes on to replace Hwang Ui-jo (L) in Korea vs Uruguay (by JUNG YEON-JE/AFP via Getty Images)

What's next for the players who miss out on the World Cup?

“Kim Eun-jung's advice: "The way I would look at it is, all players dream of going to a World Cup but not all players are able to do that. Don’t be disappointed, get your heads down for your clubs, train and work as hard as you can and another chance will materialize later.”

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South Korea's World Cup Squad Numbers

The squad numbers for South Korea's 2022 World Cup squad have been revealed. Cho Gue-sung has been given the number nine shirt, Yoon Jong-gyu number two, Lee Jae-sung number 10, and Lee Kang-in number 18. Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors midfielder Paik Seung-ho with eight and the Ulsan Hyundai trio of Jo Hyeon-woo, Kim Young-gwon, and Kim Tae-hwan with 21, 19, and 23 respectively have the same numbers they use at club level. For Kim Young-gwon it's the same number he was given at the 2018 World Cup. As too Kim Seung-gyu (1), Son Heung-min (7), Hwang Hee-chan (11), and Hong Chul (14).

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Squads Announced for South Korea's 2022 World Cup Group H Opponents

South Korea's Group H opponents Uruguay, Ghana and Portugal have all announced their squads for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Who's in? There are a total of 1,183 caps earned in the Uruguay squad with the average at 45.5. Korea took on Uruguay in the 2010 World Cup Round of 16 and lost 2-1. Luis Suárez scored twice that day while Cavani and Godín also played.

South Korea last played Ghana in 2014 in the build-up to the World Cup that year. Jordan Ayew scored a hat-trick. There are a total of 441 caps in this Black Stars squad with an average of 16.9 per player.

For Portugal, as expected, Cristiano Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes are in, as is Pepe who at 39 and with 128 caps is among the most experienced players. Only captain Ronaldo has more with 191.

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Son Heung-min says he's not ready to head the ball, but does he need to?

"I can’t head the ball yet and I haven't tried yet. It’s only been 10 days since the surgery and that’s not a long time. I don’t have any problem with running. I trained with the club just two days before arriving here and I was able to complete my sprint training without any problems."  

But, how often is Son actually expected to head the ball? According to the Premier League's own statistics, Son has scored just four headed goals in 245 league appearances for Tottenham. With 96 goals scored in the Premier League, that's just 4.2% of his total.

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South Korea's K League players at World Cups 1986-2018

Paulo Bento's South Korea squad for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar contains 14 K League-based players, more or less the average since 1986. But which South Korea squad had the most K League-based players, and contributed the most? 

 In the nine previous campaigns, there has been an average of 14.66 K League players involved in the 22 or 23-man squads. 

The fewest was six in 2014 when South Korea finished bottom of their group having picked up just one point. The most was at Italia '90 with 20 while in 2002, when Korea made it all the way to the semifinals, there were 15. 

In terms of the players who actually make it onto the pitch, on average, 60% of starters have been K League players and 60% of the substitutions made have been K League players coming on. The 1990 and 1994 World Cups had the most K League starters with 80% while the lowest was 2014 with just 15%.

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Reaction to Paulo Bento's Squad Announcement

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Analysis of South Korea's World Cup Squad

Not many of South Korea's squad for Qatar 2022 have World Cup experience, just eight in fact with 16 set to compete at that level for the first time. Three players have been to more than one World Cup, namely Kim Seung-gyu, Kim Young-gwon, and Son Heung-min.

The average number of caps among those eight players is just 3.38 with Kim Young-gwon earning the post at six and Kim Seung-gyu the fewest with just one. Both have been to two World Cups but in the case of Kim Seung-gyu, the second (Russia 2018) was spent watching on from the bench.

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