South Korea has failed to make it past the group stage in the last two World Cups, in Russia and Brazil, and its main goal is to get past the opening round of the competition to match the feats of 2010 and 2002. — and 20 years ago, at home, made history by finishing in an extraordinary 4th place.

With Son Heung-min as an absolute reference, both offensively and in the dressing room as an experienced leader and with a presence in the Premier League, the South Koreans have a new generation of players playing in Europe who can make a difference. Kim Min-jae moved to Napoli in the summer and is part of the Italians’ brilliant start to the season. Hwang Hee-chan has been betting on Wolverhampton and both Hwang Ui-jo and Hwang In-beom have been in the spotlight for the Greeks at Olympiacos, meaning they are all used to World Cup-sized venues in Qatar .

In the middle, a Portuguese coach. Paulo Bento took charge of South Korea in 2018 and He will debut with the Asians in major international competitions after having been with the National Team in the World Cup in Brazil, where he did not make it past the group stage. In Group H, the main objective of the South Koreans will be to fight for qualification for the round of 16, since they start in a somewhat unfavorable position against the theoretical favoritism of Portugal and Uruguay.

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