Football chief predicts deep run for Korea at World Cup

Korean football chief Chung Mong-gyu predicted on Wednesday the national team will march deep into the knockout stage at this year's FIFA World Cup.

"I think we will play at least five matches," Chung said at a press conference marking the first anniversary of his new term as president of the Korea Football Association (KFA). "Of course, if we play more matches than that, then it'd be so much better."

The upcoming World Cup, to be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, will be the largest edition of the tournament, featuring 48 nations. Teams will each play three matches in the group stage, and the knockout phase will begin with the round of 32.

If Korea were to play five matches, as Chung predicted, then they will be in the round of 16.

Korea did not reach beyond the round of 16 under the previous, 32-nation format at an away World Cup. They went all the way to the semifinals as a co-host country in 2002.

While the general perception is that this year's squad isn't nearly as talented on paper as the 2022 team that reached the round of 16 in Qatar, Chung said, "I think there is a better balance among our players than four years ago. It's not impossible (to reach the round of 16 this year)."

Much is at stake for Chung himself at the World Cup. He has not been a popular leader among the public, with Korea having struggled in recent international tournaments, World Cup qualifying matches and friendlies. While calling for Chung's resignation to take responsibility for the recent downfall, fans also stopped filling the stands last fall.

Chung acknowledged that the KFA's failure to communicate its decision to select Hong Myung-bo as the men's national team head coach in 2024 caused trust issues among fans. He also pointed out that key members of the national team, such as Son Heung-min of Las Angeles Football Club, Lee Kang-in of Paris Saint-Germain and Kim Min-jae of Bayern Munich, aren't drawing as much media coverage as in the recent past.

Son, former captain of Tottenham Hotspur, no longer plays in the Premier League, widely considered the top competition. Lee and Kim still ply their trades for big clubs but don't play as much as they once did.

"Ultimately, it's up to the KFA to generate more interest in football," Chung said. "If we take it one step at a time, then I think the World Cup will be an opportunity to put the spotlight back on the sport."

Click here to read article