Team: South Korea

South Korea are Asia's most experienced World Cup nation, having qualified for their 10th consecutive tournament. Their 2002 run to the semifinals on home soil remains the greatest achievement in Asian World Cup history. Son Heung-min captains the current team and remains one of the world's most effective forwards at the highest level. His combination of pace, technique, and work rate makes him a constant and dangerous threat. South Korea's physical fitness, collective organization, and willingness to press make them difficult opponents, and with Son in the squad they always carry the ability to produce decisive, defining moments in any match they play.

Korea Republic reached their 11th consecutive World Cup with a convincing 2-0 win over a 10-man Iraq side at Basra International Stadium on 5 June.