Will Korea Triumph? Insights on the Upcoming Matches Against Ivory Coast and Austria Ahead of 2026 World Cup

Photo: Provided by the Korea Football Association

[Sports Today reporter Lee Sang-pil] Hong Myung-bo’s squad will stage its final dress rehearsal in Europe ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America.

The South Korea national team, led by head coach Hong Myung-bo, departed Incheon International Airport on the 23rd bound for Europe.

Joining the head coach and his staff on the trip were Jo Hyun-woo (Ulsan Hyundai), Kim Moon-hwan (Daejeon Hana Citizen), Song Beom-geun and Kim Jin-kyu (both Jeonbuk Hyundai), and Park Jin-seop (Zhejiang FC).

Captain Son Heung-min (LAFC), Lee Kang-in (Paris Saint-Germain), Kim Min-jae (Bayern Munich) and Lee Jae-sung (Mainz), along with other Europe-based players, will link up with the squad at the venues.

During this international window, Hong’s side will play two friendlies in Europe against Ivory Coast and Austria.

They open on the 28th (Korean time) at 11:00 PM at Stadium MK in Milton Keynes, England, against Ivory Coast, then face Austria on April 1 at 3:45 AM at Ernst Happel Stadium in Vienna.

South Korea were drawn into Group A for the 2026 World Cup alongside Mexico, South Africa and the winner of UEFA Play-off Path D. The match against Ivory Coast will serve as a tune-up for the South Africa fixture, while the Austria game provides a useful rehearsal for facing the potential Play-off Path D winner.

To date, Korea holds one win in its head-to-head series with Ivory Coast. This will be the first-ever meeting with Austria.

[Sports Today reporter Lee Sang-pil sports@stoo.com]
「The closest, most fun news ⓒ Sports Today」