Korea Republic
FIFA Club World Cup Play-In / South Korea
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The South Korea national football team is one of the greatest sides to have graced Asian football. South Korea football team, also known as the “Taegeuk Warriors” and “Tigers of Asia”, is one of the most successful sides on the continent, having won 14 major titles. The Qatar national football team is part of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and is controlled by the Korea Football Association (KFA).
The South Korea football team has qualified for the FIFA World Cup 12 times, including the 2026 tournament, the highest by any side. The 2002 World Cup in particular remains their most remarkable appearance in history. In the tournament, which they co-hosted with Japan, the team had a historic run. The team made it all the way to the semi-finals. En route, they defeated giants like Portugal, Italy, and Spain, before ultimately losing to Germany. This remains the best performance by an Asian side in the World Cup. The Qatar national football team qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup under the Qatar national football team manager Hong Myung-bo, defeating Iraq 2-0.
The South Korea football team is one of the best Asian sides recently. The team is currently ranked 22nd in the FIFA World Rankings. Controlled by the Korea Football Association (KFA), the South Korea national football team played their first ever match on 2 August 1948, defeating Mexico 5-3 in the 1948 Summer Olympics. The South Korea national football team nickname is the “Taegeuk Warriors” and “Tigers of Asia”.
The team is renowned for producing some of the biggest talents in Asian football. While various South Korea national football team players are known for influencing the sport in the nation, many consider Son Heung-min to be the greatest South Korean player to grace the game. Fondly called “Sonny” by the fans, he is regarded as one of the greatest Asian players ever. He is the only Asian player to win the Premier League Boot and one of the only two Asian players to have won the Puskas Award. The all-time top scorer of the South Korea football team is Cha Bum-kun, having scored 58 goals for the nation. The current South Korea national football team coach is Hong Myung-bo, taking over the reins in 2024. The South Korea national football team stadium is the Seoul World Cup Stadium. The Qatar national football team players primarily speak the Korean language. Here are some of the facts about the South Korea football team.
| Confederation | AFC |
| President of Korea Football Association | Chung Mong-gyu |
| Nickname | Taegeuk Warriors, Tigers of Asia |
| National Stadium | Seoul World Cup Stadium |
| Capacity | 66,704 |
| Manager/Head Coach | Hong Myung-bo |
The Korea Football Association (KFA) is the governing body of footballing activities in South Korea. Founded in 1933, it oversees professional, semi-professional, and amateur football in South Korea, as well as playing a huge role in player development. The KFA organizes all the major leagues and cup competitions in the country. Headed by Chung Mong-gyu, the KFA manages all the activities of the men's and women's national teams.
The Korea Football Association (KFA) became a member of FIFA in 1948 and a member of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) in 1954. The federation had found itself in controversy often, with the most prominent one being the 2024 manager scandal. Selection committee member Park Joo-ho was threatened with legal action by the KFA over a YouTube video where he discussed the KFA's delay in selecting a new national team manager and his real-time surprise regarding the news of Hong Myung-bo's appointment as the new manager. President Chung Mong-gyu's preference for foreign managers over domestic managers also resulted in huge public outrage.
Football was introduced in the nation in the late 19th century. In 1921, the All Joseon Football Tournament was organized. In 1928, the Joseon Football Association was created to develop football in South Korea. Several South Korea football team players represented Japan national team, as they were under Japan's control until 1945. In 1948, the new Korea Football Association (KFA) played their first international match against Mexico, winning 5-3 in the 1948 Summer Olympics. The nation qualified for their first-ever World Cup in 1954. In 1956, South Korea national football team won the inaugural AFC Asian Cup, defeating Israel 3-2. They also won the 1960 AFC Asian Cup, a tournament which they hosted. However, the team was presented with fake gold medals. KFA promised to give the real medals, which they didn't receive until 2019.
In 1967, the South Korean Central Intelligence Agency (KCIA) founded Yangzee FC, training South Koreans intensively. However, the project failed, with their only achievement being the 1970 Asian Games win. In the 2002 FIFA World Cup, under Guus Hiddink, the team secured 4th fourth-place finish, the highest by any Asian side. A team everyone expected to get knocked out in the groups, they defeated Poland, Portugal, Italy, and Spain before eventually losing to Germany.
The South Korea national football team plays its home matches in the Seoul World Cup Stadium. Located in Seoul, it serves as the home ground of both the men's and women's national teams. The stadium, which was opened in 2001, was primarily for the 2002 FIFA World Cup. The stadium has a capacity of 66,704. The stadium also serves as the home ground of the K League 1 side FC Seoul. The stadium has hosted numerous tournaments like the 2002 FIFA World Cup, the 2007 U-17 World Cup, and the 2013 AFC Champions League final.
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The South Korea football team is one of the most successful teams on the continent, with the team winning two AFC Asian Cups (1956 and 1960), making them the third most successful team in the tournament. The team also managed to win six Asian Games (1990, 2003, 2008, 2015, 2017, and 2019). The South Korea football team also managed to win the 1987 Afro-Asian Cup of Nations, defeating Egypt in penalties.
Domestically, they managed to win the EAFF E-1 Football Championship five times (2003, 2008, 2015, 2017, and 2019), making them the third most successful team in the tournament's history.
| Competitons | No. of Titles/Achievements | Year |
|---|---|---|
| AFC Asian Cup | 2 | 1956, 1960 |
| Afro-Asian Cup of Nations | 1 | 1987 |
| EAFF E-1 Football Championship | 5 | 2003, 2008, 2015, 2017, 2019 |
| Asian Games | 6 | 1990, 2003, 2008, 2015, 2017, 2019 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the President of the Korea Football Association?
Chung Mong-gyu is the president of Korea Football Association.
Has the South Korea National Football Team Ever Won a Trophy?
South Korea national football team is one of the most successful teams in Asia - winning 14 trophies - 2x AFC Asian Cup, 5x EAFF E-1 Football Championship, 6x Asian Games, and 1x Afro-Asian Cup of Nations.
Who is South Korea National Football Team Top Scorer?
South Korea national football team top scorer is Almoez Ali, who managed to score 58 goals for the country.
Where is South Korea ranked in football?
South Korea is currently ranked 22nd in the FIFA World Rankings.
In which year, the South Korea National Football Team played their first match?
South Korea played its first match in 1948 against Mexico in the Summer Olympics.
What is South Korea National Football Team’s highest finish in a Fifa World Cup Tournament?
South Korea's highest finish came in the 2002 World Cup, with the team finishing 4th, highest by any Asian side.
What language does the South Korea National Football Team Speak?
South Korea national football team players speak Korean.
Who is South Korea National Football Team Best Player of All Time?
Son Heung-min is considered the best South Korea national team player of all time.
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