The Korea Football Association (KFA) has announced the opponents for two international friendlies scheduled during the March FIFA window. The national team will face Côte d’Ivoire near London on March 28 at 11 PM KST, followed by a match against Austria in Vienna on April 1 at 3:45 AM KST.
South Korea’s national soccer team is set to take on African powerhouse Côte d’Ivoire in a friendly match this March.
The KFA has finalized and announced the opponents for two friendlies to be played in Europe during the March international break.
The Taegeuk Warriors will first clash with Côte d’Ivoire near London on March 28 at 11 PM KST (2 PM local time), before traveling to Vienna to face Austria on April 1 at 3:45 AM KST.
Côte d’Ivoire, currently ranked 37th in the FIFA rankings, sits below South Korea’s 22nd position. However, they topped Group F in the African qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, securing their spot in the finals. They’re set to compete in Group E alongside Germany, Curaçao, and Ecuador in the tournament’s group stage.
Despite falling short of a back-to-back title in the recent Africa Cup of Nations, losing to Egypt in the quarterfinals, Côte d’Ivoire boasts a roster filled with top-tier talent from Europe’s elite leagues, including Amad Diallo of Manchester United and Evan Ndicka from AS Roma.
This matchup serves as crucial preparation for South Korea’s third group stage game against South Africa in the upcoming World Cup. Facing Côte d’Ivoire, known for their explosive speed and physical prowess, will provide a vital test of South Korea’s competitiveness on the global stage.
South Korea holds a perfect record against Côte d’Ivoire, having won their only previous encounter. In a friendly match held in London back in March 2010, South Korea secured a convincing 2-0 victory, with goals from Lee Dong-gook and Kwak Tae-hwi. This upcoming match marks their return to English soil after a 14-year hiatus.
The KFA has confirmed the opponents for two international friendlies during the March FIFA window. The national team is scheduled to face Côte d’Ivoire near London on March 28 at 11 PM KST, before taking on Austria in Vienna on April 1 at 3:45 AM KST.ⓒKorea Football Association
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