Teams
Korea Republic made light work of their qualification campaign on their way to making it to their eleventh straight World Cup. In their 16 matches, Korea Republic won eleven and drew five games, scoring forty goals along the way. In their last six tournaments, they have made it out of the group stages three times, including four years ago in Qatar thanks to a terrific win over Portugal in their last group game before eventually being knocked out by Brazil. But few will forget their incredible run in the 2002 World Cup when they cohost the tournament and defeated Italy and Spain on their way to their epic 4th place finish under Guus Hiddink.
In what will likely be his last World Cup as a player, thirty-three year old Son will want to end his legendary career on a high as he looks to take South Korea on a run similar to that of 2002. Having left Tottenham in 2025, he has been plying his trade in the MLS for Los Angeles FC. Son is the most capped player for his country as he hones in on 150 games for his country, and is only four goals away from becoming the highest goalscorer for his nation where we would match Cha Bum-kun, who retired in 1986.
