FIFA World Cup 2026 South Korea: Schedule, How to Watch, History & Record
South Korea is heading back to the World Cup in 2026. The Taegeuk Warriors made it through qualifying and will compete in their 12th straight tournament.
Fans want to know when matches start, where to watch, and how the team might perform. This guide has all those answers plus details on South Korea’s World Cup history.
South Korea World Cup 2026 Schedule (Local Time)
The team drew Group A and will play every match in Mexico. All three games happen on Mexican soil. Here are the dates and times for South Korean viewers.
| Match | Date | Time (KST) | Opponent | Venue | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match 1 | June 12, 2026 | 12:00 PM (Noon) | UEFA Playoff Winner | Estadio Akron, Guadalajara | 48,000 |
| Match 2 | June 19, 2026 | 11:00 AM | Mexico | Estadio Akron, Guadalajara | 48,000 |
| Match 3 | June 25, 2026 | 11:00 AM | South Africa | Estadio BBVA, Monterrey | 53,500 |
Every game kicks off in the morning for Korean fans. You can catch matches before heading to work or watch during your lunch hour.
South Korea stands alone as the only team playing all group matches in Mexico. The squad won’t visit any stadiums in the United States or Canada during group play.
How to Watch the World Cup 2026 in South Korea
Things changed for 2026. You have two ways to watch: JTBC on cable TV or CHZZK for streaming. Past tournaments aired free on KBS, MBC, and SBS. That’s not happening this time. You’ll need a paid option to see matches.
JTBC Television Coverage
JTBC grabbed exclusive rights to broadcast every World Cup match. They split coverage across four channels: JTBC, JTBC2, JTBC3 Golf and Sports, and JTBC4. Commentators speak Korean and experts break down the action.
You need cable TV to watch JTBC channels. Sign up through SK Broadband, KT, or LG U+. Monthly packages run between 5,000 and 11,000 won. Basic cable usually includes JTBC channels already.
JTBC promises full tournament coverage. Pre-match shows cover tactics and lineup news. Post-match talks examine key plays. The network will track South Korea’s run closely.
Cable TV Providers in South Korea
- SK Broadband
- KT (Korea Telecom)
- LG U+
- Local cable companies
Call your provider to check if JTBC comes with your package. Special World Cup deals might pop up closer to June.
Live Streaming Options for South Korean Fans
You can stream matches instead of watching cable. Two apps let you watch on your phone or computer.
JTBC NOW App
Cable subscribers get access to JTBC NOW. Download it free on iPhone or Android. Log in with your cable account details to unlock World Cup games.
The app streams all JTBC channels live. Missed a match? Watch replays on demand. Highlights show up after games end. Everything runs in Korean only right now.
JTBC NOW works on phones, tablets, and computers. Go to jtbc.co.kr for the website. Need help? Email jtbchelp@jtbc.co.kr or call 02-751-6000.
CHZZK Streaming Platform
NAVER won streaming rights through CHZZK. The deal closed in December 2025. CHZZK will stream every single World Cup match.
The platform brings cool features. AI creates highlights automatically while games play. “Watch together” lets fans enjoy matches as a group. Live chat runs during games. You can rewatch matches after they finish.
NAVER hasn’t said what this costs yet. Prices come out early in 2026. They might stream free with ads. Or you might need NAVER Plus membership. Past sports on NAVER mixed free and paid content.
Visit chzzk.naver.com to access the platform. Apps work on iPhone and Android. CHZZK launched in 2024 after Twitch left Korea. Right now it streams esports, Japanese basketball, and winter sports.
VPN Access for Koreans Abroad
Living overseas? Use a VPN to connect through a Korean server. You still need JTBC or CHZZK subscriptions to watch. ExpressVPN and others do the job.
How to Listen to the World Cup 2026 in South Korea
Radio gives you another way to follow matches. Several stations will broadcast games live.
Korean radio networks usually cover big national team matches. KBS Radio, MBC Radio, and SBS Radio handled past tournaments. They’ll announce 2026 plans closer to June.
Most stations stream online through their websites and apps. Check broadcaster sites for radio schedules when the tournament starts.
TuneIn Radio might carry Korean broadcasts. The app pulls together radio from everywhere. Search for Korean sports channels once games begin.
South Korea World Cup History & Record
South Korea keeps making World Cups. The 2026 tournament marks the 12th straight time they qualified. The team hasn’t missed a World Cup since 1986. No other Asian country has a streak that long.
Overall World Cup Record
South Korea played 37 World Cup games through Qatar 2022. The record shows 7 wins, 9 draws, and 21 losses. Korean players scored 34 goals and gave up 70 in those matches.
Best Performance: 2002 Semifinals
The 2002 World Cup at home changed everything. Dutch coach Guus Hiddink led South Korea to the semifinals. No Asian team ever went that far before or since.
South Korea knocked out Poland, Portugal, Italy, and Spain. Germany ended the run in the semis. Turkey beat them in the third-place game. The whole country went crazy celebrating that summer.
Recent Tournament Results
Qatar 2022 hurt. South Korea finished third in Group H on goal difference. They beat Portugal 2-1 in the last group game. Uruguay couldn’t score enough against Ghana so South Korea lived to see another day.
Russia 2018 felt similar. South Korea shocked Germany with a 2-0 win. But they still went home early. Sweden and Mexico moved on from Group F.
Notable Records and Achievements
Son Heung-min scored 3 World Cup goals so far. He shares the Korean record with Park Ji-sung and Ahn Jung-hwan. All three players have 3 goals in World Cup matches.
South Korea gave up the fastest World Cup goal ever. Turkish striker Hakan Şükür scored 11 seconds into the 2002 third-place match. Nobody beat that record yet.
Goalkeeper Lee Woon-jae went to more World Cups than any Korean. He played in four straight tournaments from 1994 through 2006.
South Korea World Cup Predictions and Analysis
Group A looks tough but manageable. South Korea can advance with smart play.
Group A Competition
Mexico has home field advantage for two matches. Their fans will pack stadiums and create noise. The team must handle hot weather and hostile crowds. Guadalajara sits at decent altitude. Monterrey gets really hot.
South Africa looks beatable. They struggled getting through qualifying. South Korea needs those three points badly.
The UEFA playoff winner stays unknown until March 2026. Czech Republic, Republic of Ireland, Denmark, or North Macedonia could show up. Each team plays different styles.
Key Players for 2026
Captain Son Heung-min runs the attack. He plays for Los Angeles FC in MLS now. Son left Tottenham in August 2025 for a record $26.5 million transfer. Ten years at Spurs built his reputation. His experience matters most. Those 3 World Cup goals lead all current Korean players.
Kim Min-jae holds down defense. The Bayern Munich center back plays against the world’s best every week. His strength keeps South Korea stable in back.
Hwang Hee-chan brings speed to midfield. Lee Kang-in adds skill from Paris Saint-Germain. Both guys hit their prime right now.
Manager Hong Myung-bo
Hong Myung-bo came back as manager in 2024. He coached before from 2013 to 2014. Hong captained that famous 2002 team. Players respect him because he lived it.
Advancement Chances
NBC Sports thinks South Korea finishes third in Group A. They predict advancement as a best third-place team. Four points probably gets the job done.
Second place works better than third. That path avoids Group B winners. Topping the group seems hard with Mexico at home.
The 48-team format helps Asian countries. Eight AFC teams got direct spots this time. More third-place teams advance now than before.
South Korea FIFA World Cup 2026 FAQs
Can I watch World Cup 2026 for free in South Korea?
No free option exists this time. You need cable TV with JTBC or CHZZK streaming access. NAVER might stream free but hasn’t said so yet. Every past World Cup aired free on KBS, MBC, and SBS. This marks the first time Koreans must pay to watch.
What channel shows South Korea matches on TV?
JTBC has every South Korea game. Check JTBC, JTBC2, JTBC3 Golf and Sports, or JTBC4. Korean commentators call the action. All 104 tournament matches air on JTBC channels.
How much does cable TV cost to watch the World Cup?
Cable runs 5,000 to 11,000 won monthly. That’s about $4 to $9 US dollars. Most basic packages already have JTBC. Call SK Broadband, KT, or LG U+ for package info. Special World Cup bundles might come out in 2026.
When will CHZZK announce streaming prices?
NAVER will reveal prices early in 2026. No specific date yet. Options might include free streaming with ads or paid subscriptions. NAVER Plus membership could be required for some stuff. Past NAVER sports mixed free and paid content.
Will commentary be available in English?
JTBC and CHZZK only do Korean commentary. English isn’t available through Korean broadcasters. International fans should check their local stations. FOX Sports handles English coverage for Americans.
Can I watch matches on my smartphone?
Yes. JTBC NOW app works on iPhones and Android phones. CHZZK has mobile apps too. Both work on phones and tablets. Download from App Store or Google Play. You need internet or mobile data for streaming.
What happens if South Korea finishes third in the group?
Third place teams can still advance with the 48-team format. The four best third-place teams make the Round of 16. Goal difference, goals scored, and fair play points decide rankings. South Korea probably needs four points to advance as a third-place team.
Where can I buy South Korea national team jerseys?
Nike stores and their website sell official jerseys. The Korea Football Association shop has authentic gear. Big sporting goods stores carry national team stuff. New 2026 World Cup designs should drop in spring 2026. Authentic jerseys usually cost 80,000 to 120,000 won.
