South Korea turn focus to 2026 after sealing World Cup spot

AFP | Seoul

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Coach Hong Myung-bo immediately turned his thoughts to next year’s World Cup in North America after South Korea secured qualification following a turbulent campaign.

Hong’s side belatedly saw off 10-man Iraq 2-0 in front of a noisy Basra crowd on Thursday to seal an 11th straight World Cup appearance.

Substitutes Oh Hyeon-gyu and Kim Jin-kyu scored in the second half to send South Korea through with a game to spare.

“Now that today’s match is over and our qualification is confirmed, we will focus everything on the World Cup from this point forward,” Hong told reporters.

“There are many things to consider but I believe we need to prepare step by step, steadily, for the World Cup finals.”