South Korea Vs Iraq

South Korea will be aiming to maintain their unbeaten run in Group B when they host Iraq at the Yongin Mireu Stadium for an AFC World Cup qualifier on Tuesday night. As early front-runners in the group, the Taegeuk Warriors have established themselves as formidable contenders, while Iraq will be hoping to continue their campaign with another victory as they eye a spot in the expanded 2026 World Cup.

Match Preview

Coming into this clash, South Korea have built momentum with consistent performances throughout the qualifying rounds. Their most recent success came in a convincing 2-0 away win against Jordan on Thursday night. Goals from Lee Jae-Sung and Oh Hyun-Gyu, either side of halftime, sealed the deal for the Taegeuk Warriors, adding to their tally of seven points from the first three matches of the third round. With these points, South Korea currently sit comfortably at the top of Group B, creating a healthy three-point lead over Jordan, who occupy third place.

Under the leadership of Hong Myung-Bo, who took charge of the national team earlier this year, South Korea has been enjoying an impressive unbeaten run. This is Hong’s second stint as South Korea’s head coach, having previously managed the team from 2013 to 2014. His return has injected new life into the side, who are currently ranked as the third-best team in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), only behind powerhouses Japan and Iran in the FIFA rankings.

The Taegeuk Warriors, known for their disciplined and tactical play, have been particularly strong on the defensive front. However, they will be keen to improve on their most recent home performance in the qualifiers. In early September, despite being overwhelming favorites, they were held to a frustrating goalless draw by Palestine in Seoul. That result serves as a reminder that no team can be underestimated at this stage of the competition.

Hong’s men will be aware that Tuesday night’s match against Iraq offers a crucial opportunity to extend their lead in Group B and consolidate their position as group leaders. A victory would not only enhance their chances of qualifying but also keep their unbeaten record intact.

South Korea's Form and Prospects

South Korea’s path to this stage of the qualifiers has been marked by their ability to grind out results, often controlling games with their possession-based style of play. The team’s midfield, led by experienced players like Lee Jae-Sung and Hwang In-Beom, has provided stability, while the defense has been rock-solid, conceding very few goals during the qualifying rounds.

Lee Jae-Sung, who plies his trade in Europe, has been instrumental in dictating the tempo of South Korea’s play, while Oh Hyun-Gyu has emerged as a reliable goal scorer. The forward’s ability to find the back of the net at crucial moments has given South Korea an edge in tight games, as seen in their recent victory against Jordan.

Additionally, Hong Myung-Bo’s tactical flexibility has allowed South Korea to adapt to different opponents, a skill that will be tested against Iraq. The Taegeuk Warriors’ ability to control the game and apply pressure in key moments has been key to their success so far. With Iraq coming to town, South Korea will need to maintain their defensive discipline while taking advantage of any scoring opportunities that arise.

Hong’s tenure has also been marked by a return to the basics of strong team cohesion, a hallmark of South Korean football. The team’s commitment to each other and their collective effort on the pitch have been evident in their performances, which is why they remain unbeaten in the group so far.

However, South Korea’s coaching staff will undoubtedly be cautioning their players not to underestimate Iraq, a team that has demonstrated resilience and an ability to win crucial games.

Iraq’s World Cup Dream

On the other side of the pitch, Iraq will arrive in South Korea with ambitions of their own. The Lions of Mesopotamia are hoping to return to the World Cup for the first time in 40 years, having last qualified for the tournament in 1986. That year, Iraq struggled to make an impact on the world stage, losing all three of their group games in Mexico. Nevertheless, the current squad is eager to make history and return to football’s biggest competition in 2026.

This is the perfect time for Iraq to make their mark, as the 2026 World Cup will feature an expanded format, with AFC nations set to receive eight automatic qualification spots, double the previous allocation. For Iraq, this presents a golden opportunity, and their journey to North America has already started off well.

On Thursday, Iraq secured a narrow 1-0 win over Palestine, with veteran striker Ayman Hussein scoring the decisive goal in the first half. With 57 international caps to his name, Hussein’s experience and poise in front of goal proved vital, and his contributions will be equally important against South Korea.

Despite being level on points with South Korea in the group standings, Iraq face a much sterner test in this upcoming fixture. South Korea have historically dominated this encounter, keeping five consecutive clean sheets in meetings with Iraq since January 2015. This means that while Iraq have shown promise, they remain underdogs heading into Tuesday’s clash.

Iraq’s Form and Challenges

Led by Spanish coach Jesus Casas, Iraq have shown tactical discipline and determination throughout the qualifiers, but they will need to be at their very best to come away with a positive result against a well-drilled South Korean team. Casas has implemented a balanced approach, combining defensive solidity with quick transitions in attack, a tactic that has worked well against lesser opponents but will be tested to the limit against South Korea’s superior technical abilities.

Iraq’s defense, marshaled by the experienced Ali Adnan, will need to be on high alert against the pace and movement of South Korea’s forwards. South Korea’s ability to press high up the pitch and force mistakes from the opposition could spell trouble for Iraq, especially if they are unable to maintain possession for long stretches of the game.

Offensively, Iraq will be relying heavily on Ayman Hussein to deliver once again. The striker’s ability to hold up the ball and bring his teammates into play will be crucial if Iraq are to pose any threat to South Korea’s defense. Additionally, the midfield battle will be key, with Iraq needing to disrupt South Korea’s rhythm and prevent them from dictating the tempo of the match.

However, Iraq’s chances of success may lie in their ability to defend as a unit and take advantage of set-pieces or counter-attacking opportunities. With South Korea likely to dominate possession, Iraq will need to stay compact and organized, frustrating their opponents and looking to hit them on the break.

What’s at Stake for Both Teams?

For South Korea, a win against Iraq would cement their position as group leaders and bring them one step closer to securing qualification for the 2026 World Cup. With the expansion of the tournament, South Korea will be looking to avoid any unnecessary slip-ups and ensure that they remain on course for automatic qualification. The Taegeuk Warriors have consistently been one of the top teams in Asia, and their current form suggests that they are well-equipped to handle the pressure of being group favorites.

On the other hand, Iraq are chasing history. Having missed out on the World Cup for nearly four decades, the current generation of players is determined to write their own chapter in the annals of Iraqi football. A positive result against South Korea would not only boost their chances of qualification but also serve as a statement of intent to the rest of Asia that Iraq is a team to be reckoned with.

Tuesday night’s match at Yongin Mireu Stadium promises to be a thrilling encounter, with both teams having plenty to play for. South Korea will be looking to extend their unbeaten run and maintain their dominance in Group B, while Iraq will be hoping to pull off an upset and keep their World Cup dreams alive.