South Korea face Czechia as Kim Seung-gyu sacrifices for World Cup

World Cup opener against Czechia

South Korea begin their 2026 World Cup campaign against Czechia in Group A. This is your opening match. The group also features Mexico and South Africa. (1) (2) (3)

Kim Seung-gyu's sacrifice

Goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu has chosen to miss the birth of his daughter to be at this tournament. He has said publicly that strong results on the pitch are the only way to make that decision worthwhile. This is his fourth World Cup, and his experience will be vital between the posts for a squad carrying real emotional weight into the competition.

Fan reactions

One Reddit preview describes the mood around this squad as turbulent, pointing to tactical uncertainty and internal tension heading into what may be Son Heung-min's final World Cup. The raw talent is there, but the question is whether the team can hold together under pressure. Read the full preview