The real action is about to begin. Klinsmann sets anchor for the World Cup in North and Central America.
The South Korean national soccer team (24th in FIFA rankings), led by head coach Jürgen Klinsmann (59), announced its 23-man roster for the November A match on Saturday. It’s an elite squad that includes captain Son Heung-min (31-Tottenham Hotspur), Kim Min-jae (27-Bayern Munich), and Lee Kang-in (22-Paris Saint-Germain). No major changes.
Last month, South Korea completed its final simulated assessment before the real thing. They won 4-0 and 6-0 against Tunisia (ranked 32nd) and Vietnam (ranked 94th), respectively. Klinsmann was hungry for his first win, and now he’s on a three-match A-match winning streak.
Now, Klinsmann hits the road. He will face Singapore (ranked 155th) and China (ranked 79th) in Group C of the second Asian qualifying round for the FIFA Confederations Cup North America 2026. The team kicks off against Singapore at 8 p.m. on Sept. 16 at Seoul World Cup Stadium. They will then travel to China to face China at the Shenzhen Universiade Sports Center on June 21 at 9 p.m. ET.
The second round of World Cup qualifying features 36 nations divided into nine groups of four teams. The first- and second-place finishers in each group will advance to the World Cup Third Qualifying Round and earn a spot in the 2027 Asian Cup. South Korea will compete in Group C alongside Singapore, China, and Thailand (ranked 112th).
The third qualifying round will see 18 nations compete in three groups. The first- and second-place teams in each group will advance to the World Cup, while the third- and fourth-place teams will get one last chance through the fourth qualifier.
At the moment, Klinsmann is brimming with confidence. The team has been on a winning streak lately, and there are plenty of stories about the performances of players in Europe’s big leagues. In the English Premier League (EPL), Son Heung-min is leading Tottenham in the race for the title with his goal-scoring prowess. Hwang Hee-chan (27, Wolverhampton Wanderers) has recorded an attacking point in six consecutive official games.
The French Ligue 1 player has scored an attacking point in three consecutive games, including a goal in his UEFA Champions League debut and a goal in his league debut. Kim Min-jae has also established himself as an indispensable player for Munich with his unrivaled solidity. His value has been recognized with a 22nd Ballon d’Or award for the best Asian defender and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) International Player of the Year award.
In addition, Lee Jae-sung (31-Mainz) and Cho Kyu-sung (25-Mitwillan) have been in fine form in their respective leagues.
The difference in strength between Singapore and China is obvious. However, they cannot afford to let their guard down. It is also important to note that this A match is the last real test before the 2023 AFC Qatar Asian Cup, which is scheduled for January next year. 토토사이트
After the matches against Singapore and China, the Asian Cup will kick off in January. It’s a valuable practice opportunity for South Korea, who will be looking to win the Asian Cup for the first time in 63 years since 1960.
Klinsmann’s squad will convene on the afternoon of the 13th to begin training for the World Cup qualifiers at the Mokdong Sports Complex main stadium. Klinsmann will hold an official press conference at