19 of 32 World Cup Spots Confirmed; Slim Hopes Remain for South Korea

After six group stage matches on June 26, three groups completed their fixtures, bringing the total number of qualified teams to 19. South Korea faces a daunting task to advance from their group.

Following the conclusion of six World Cup group stage matches on June 26, three more groups have finished their campaigns. As of now, 19 of the 32 spots for the 2026 World Cup have been secured, leaving 13 places to be decided in the remaining matches. For Asian teams, the situation is grim, especially for South Korea, whose group is fiercely competitive, leaving them with very little room for error. In the matches played on Tuesday, the qualified teams from Groups A, B, and C were all determined. In Group A, the host nation secured top spot thanks to home advantage, while a European powerhouse followed in second. Group B saw an upset as a South American team outperformed a traditional favorite. Group C was more straightforward, with two European teams advancing together. The 19 confirmed teams include: the host nation, Brazil, Argentina, France, England, Germany, Spain, Portugal, Netherlands, Belgium, Croatia, Uruguay, Colombia, Japan, Australia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. These teams represent the elite from various continents, but only four are from Asia, all traditional powerhouses. Group H, where South Korea resides, is the most complicated. Portugal leads with six points from two wins, while Ghana and Uruguay each have three points. South Korea languishes at the bottom with just one point. In the final round, South Korea must beat Portugal and hope that Ghana and Uruguay draw to finish second. However, Portugal is a strong opponent, making a South Korean victory highly unlikely. South Korea's head coach stated before the match that the team would give their all to create a miracle. But local media are pessimistic, believing that qualification is only a theoretical possibility. Key player Son Heung-min has been out of form, failing to score in the first two matches, and the team's lack of attacking prowess is a major concern. Beyond South Korea, other Asian teams have also underperformed. Japan qualified but with difficulty; Australia and Iran were eliminated early. The overall level of Asian football still lags behind world powers, requiring more effort in the future. With the 32 spots being filled, the knockout stage bracket will gradually take shape. Teams will fight for ultimate glory, and fans eagerly anticipate more exciting matches. For South Korea, the final group match is a do-or-die encounter. Whether they can pull off a miracle remains to be seen.

19 of 32 World Cup Spots Confirmed; Slim Hopes Remain for South Korea

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