Latest news with #AsianWorldCup
Korea Herald
2 hours ago
- Sport
- Korea Herald
S. Korea coach, player bracing for difficult match vs. Iraq with World Cup berth in sight
With South Korea closing in on a berth in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, head coach Hong Myung-bo is trying to get his charges prepared for a difficult away match against Iraq. South Korea, world No. 23, will take on 59th-ranked Iraq in their penultimate Group B match in the third round of the Asian World Cup qualifiers. The match kicks off at 9:15 p.m. Thursday at Basra International Stadium in the southern Iraqi city of Basra, or 3:15 a.m. Friday, South Korean time. South Korea are leading Group B with 16 points, three ahead of Jordan with two matches to go. The top two teams from each of the three groups in this round will punch their tickets to the World Cup, and South Korea will grab one out of Group B with at least a draw against Iraq this week. Despite the sizable gap between the two nations in the FIFA rankings, Hong predicted a tough challenge for his team. "I don't think we will have an easy match. There will be challenges in every aspect," Hong said at a prematch presser at Basra International Stadium on Wednesday, according to a video clip released by the Korea Football Association to the South Korean media Thursday morning here. "As their coach, I trust my players. They've done a great job so far, and I expect them to play well tomorrow too. We will try to prepare for the match so that we will be able to grab points." South Korea defeated Iraq 3-2 at home in their previous meeting in October 2024. Midfielder Hwang In-beom echoed Hong's sentiment at the presser, and he too voiced confidence in his team's ability to rise to the occasion. "We've been working hard for this match because our World Cup qualification is at stake," Hwang said. "We are feeling some pressure because we will have to play an away match against a good Iraqi team. But we've been training hard as a team, and if we can show that on the field, then I believe we will be able to come away with a good result." The Taegeuk Warriors have played three consecutive 1-1 draws, including two against underdogs Oman and Jordan at home in March, when they had a chance to clinch a World Cup spot in front of their own supporters.
Arab Times
3 days ago
- Sport
- Arab Times
Pizzi rallies Kuwait ahead of decisive World Cup qualifiers against Palestine and South Korea
KUWAIT CITY, June 1: Kuwait continues its intensive daily training sessions at Ali Sabah Al-Salem Stadium, home of Al-Nasr Club, as it prepares for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Palestine (June 5) and South Korea (June 10). These matches represent the ninth and tenth (final) rounds of Group B in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers for the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Under the guidance of Argentine coach Juan Pizzi, the technical staff met with players before the first training session, stressing the importance of maximum effort, particularly in the pivotal clash against Palestine. Pizzi urged the team to maintain focus, strictly follow tactical instructions, and execute their roles to keep alive their slim hopes of reaching the Asian World Cup play-offs. Currently, Kuwait sits at the bottom of Group B with 5 points. It must win both upcoming matches to stay in contention. However, qualification will also depend on Oman losing its remaining two games. The group standings are led by South Korea with 16 points, followed by Jordan (13), Iraq (12), Oman (10), and Palestine (6). The Kuwaiti team will begin a training camp starting tomorrow, continuing through the match days. It is scheduled to travel to Seoul next Friday to face the South Korean side. Coach Pizzi has called up a 26-player roster for the qualifiers, including key names like Saud Al-Hoshan, Fahad Al-Hajri, Yousef Nasser, and Ahmed Al-Dhafiri, among others. Meanwhile, the Palestine national team delegation is set to arrive in Kuwait today to commence its training sessions immediately. Palestine striker Wissam Abu Ali will join the squad from Cairo, and Oday Al-Dabbagh is already participating in the training camp, which started in mid-May.
Daily Tribune
4 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Tribune
Red Falcons Ready Focused
TDT | Manama Bahrain's national team sharpens up ahead of crucial World Cup qualifiers against Saudi Arabia and China Bahrain's national football team is intensifying preparations for two vital Asian World Cup qualifying matches, set to take place against Saudi Arabia (June 5) and China (June 10). The Red Falcons gathered for a focused training session on Saturday evening at Al Ahli Club Stadium, fine-tuning their tactics and fitness ahead of the ninth and tenth rounds of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. Leadership Presence, Morale Boost His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Ali Al Khalifa, Vice President of the Bahrain Football Association, was on hand to oversee preparations and offer encouragement to both players and staff. His close support highlights the importance Bahrain places on these upcoming fixtures, which are critical steps in the team's journey to the World Cup. Injury Update Mohamed Marhoon rejoined the team following the conclusion of his commitments with Kuwait SC. After sustaining a blow to the cheekbone, Marhoon underwent medical assessments in the morning, which confirmed he was fit to continue with the squad. He participated in a light recovery session during the evening training, signaling a positive step in his return to full match fitness. Tactical Precision Under the watchful eye of Portuguese coach Rui Pinto, the squad ran through a varied training program — from stretching exercises to tactical drills, culminating in live scrimmages designed to replicate match conditions. The training emphasized cohesion, sharpness, and readiness to face some of Asia's toughest opponents. Full Focus in Camp The squad has since entered a closed training camp at the Wyndham Grand Hotel, allowing the team to focus fully on the upcoming challenge. With the match against Saudi Arabia looming, the camp environment aims to build team unity and tactical clarity as Bahrain pushes for a spot in the World Cup.
Korea Herald
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Korea Herald
K League's top scorer named to S. Korean squad on verge of World Cup qualification
The leading scorer in the South Korean league has earned his first national team call-up with the country on the verge of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Head coach Hong Myung-bo announced his 26-man squad on Monday for the Taegeuk Warriors' two remaining matches in Group B in the third round of the Asian World Cup qualifiers. Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors forward Jeon Jin-woo, who is leading the K League 1 with 10 goals this season, made the national team for the first time at age 25. He has never played for any national team in any age group. Thanks to his breakout performance, Jeon was voted the K League 1 Player of the Month for April. Jeon is the only player on this iteration of the team to be called up for the first time, though three players, including FC Midtjylland defender Lee Han-beom, are looking to collect their first cap after receiving call-ups for earlier matches. He is joined by some familiar faces, including captain Son Heung-min, fresh off a UEFA Europa League title with Tottenham Hotspur, and Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Lee Kang-in, whose French club will play in the UEFA Champions League final this weekend. Conspicuous by his absence on the backline is Bayern Munich center back Kim Min-jae, a longtime mainstay for South Korea. He has been battling an Achilles injury for most of the season and also missed two World Cup qualifiers in March. South Korea will face Iraq in the southern Iraqi city of Basra at 9:15 p.m. on June 5. Then South Korea will host Kuwait at Seoul World Cup Stadium at 8 p.m. on June 10. South Korea are leading their group with 16 points on four wins and four draws, three points ahead of Jordan. With the top two teams from each group punching their tickets to the World Cup, South Korea can clinch their spot with at least a draw against Iraq. South Korea have played at every World Cup since 1986 in Mexico. They have had three straight 1-1 draws -- against Palestine in November and then against Oman and Jordan in consecutive matches at home in March. With the two recent draws, South Korea missed out on a chance to qualify for the big tournament early in front of home supporters. (Yonhap)
Daily Mail
01-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Ex-West Ham and Wolves boss Julen Lopetegui lands new job with former World Cup host nation
Former Wolves and West Ham boss Julen Lopetegui has been appointed head coach of Qatar. The Spaniard, who was sacked by West Ham in January, has landed his next job with the hosts of the 2022 World Cup. Lopetegui, 58, has signed a contract until 2027. He will be in charge of the Gulf nation for the remainder of their 2026 World Cup qualification bid. Lopetegui took the reins at West Ham at the start of this season, replacing David Moyes. He only lasted eight months at the London Stadium, a run of just six wins in 20 Premier League games resulting in the club making a change. Qatar hosted the last World Cup but are now fourth in their qualifying group for 2026 Lopetegui also managed Wolves, taking over in the middle of the 2022/23 season only to leave the following summer. This is not his first stint in international management having previously taken control of his native Spain. After taking that job in 2016, he was sacked just days before the 2018 World Cup when it was announced that he would move to Real Madrid at the end of that tournament. Lopetegui lasted less than six months at the Bernabeu. He later had a more successful stint in charge of Sevilla, winning the Europa League in 2020. The Spaniard's first task in his new job will be a World Cup qualifier against Iran on June 5. Qatar are currently fourth in their Asian World Cup qualifiers group, behind Iran, Uzbekistan and the United Arab Emirates.
