Latest news with #TaegukWarriors
Indian Express
4 days ago
- Sport
- Indian Express
FIFA World Cup 2026 status check: As Uzbekistan, Jordan create history, a look at all teams that have qualified so far
Three more teams confirmed their spots at the expanded 2026 Fifa World Cup as Uzbekistan, Jordan and South Korea booked their ticks on Thursday. Uzbekistan and Jordan qualified for the men's Fifa World Cup for the first time in history, while South Korea sealed their 11th straight appearance. The 2026 World Cup will have a record 48 teams in the tournament to be co-hosted the United States, Mexico and Canada. History for Uzbekistan & Jordan A 0-0 draw against the United Arab Emirates in Abu Dhabi was enough for Uzbekistan to take the second automatic qualification spot in Group A behind Iran with a game to spare. The Central Asian team and fans celebrated together at the end and had goalkeeper Utkir Yusupov to thank for a number of important saves. As well as the six automatic qualifiers from Asia, the UAE and Qatar, who defeated the already-qualified Iran 1-0, will finish third and fourth and advance to the next stage, where six teams will compete for two more places at the 2026 World Cup. In Group B, South Korea won 2-0 in Iraq to clinch its place. The Taeguk Warriors were helped by Ali Al-Hamadi's first-half red card, given to the Ipswich Town striker for a high kick. Kim Jin-gyu put Korea ahead just after the hour, and the victory was sealed by Oh Hyeon-gyu eight minutes from the end. It was also enough for Jordan, who earlier beat Oman 3-0 to clinch a place in the top two. All three goals were scored by Ali Olwan. Group C saw China eliminated after a 1-0 loss to Indonesia in Jakarta. Elsewhere in the group, a last-minute goal from Aziz Behich gave Australia a 1-0 win over Japan, already qualified, in Perth to put the Socceroos within touching distance of a sixth straight World Cup appearance. How does qualification work for 2028? Forty-three teams will get their spots through the various continental qualifying pathways. Out of these, Asia will have eight direct berths and one in the intercontinental playoff. Africa has nine direct spots plus one for the intercontinental playoff. North and Central America, plus the Caribbean get three direct berths (plus the three host nations) and another two spots in the intercontinental playoffs. South America has six direct spots and will send another team to the intercontinental playoffs. Oceania for the first time has a guaranteed spot — New Zealand clinched that in March. It could add another with New Caledonia going into the intercontinental playoffs. Europe will have 16 spots, typically the continent with the most representation. Another two will secure their berths in the international playoffs featuring six teams and scheduled for March 2026. Which teams have qualified so far? Host nations (automatic qualification): United States, Mexico, Canada From Asia: Japan (qualified on March 20), Iran (qualified on March 25), Jordan (qualified on June 5), South Korea (qualified on June 5), Uzbekistan (qualified on June 5) From Oceania: New Zealand (qualified on March 24) From South America: Argentina (qualified on March 25). (With Reuters and AP inputs)
The Hindu
4 days ago
- Sport
- The Hindu
Uzbekistan and Jordan qualify for World Cup for first time, South Korea also clinches
Uzbekistan and Jordan qualified for the men's World Cup for the first time on Thursday (June 5, 2025), while South Korea sealed its 11th straight appearance. A 0-0 draw against the United Arab Emirates in Abu Dhabi was enough for Uzbekistan to take the second automatic qualification spot in Group A behind Iran with a game to spare. The Central Asian team and fans celebrated together at the end and had goalkeeper Utkir Yusupov to thank for a number of important saves. As well as the six automatic qualifiers from Asia, the UAE and Qatar, who defeated the already-qualified Iran 1-0, will finish third and fourth and advance to the next stage, where six teams will compete for two more places at the 2026 World Cup. In Group B, South Korea won 2-0 in Iraq to clinch its place. The Taeguk Warriors were helped by Ali Al-Hamadi's first-half red card, given to the Ipswich Town striker for a high kick. Kim Jin-gyu put Korea ahead just after the hour, and the victory was sealed by Oh Hyeon-gyu eight minutes from the end. It was also enough for Jordan, which earlier beat Oman 3-0 to clinch a place in the top two. All three goals were scored by Ali Olwan. The Palestinian team stayed in contention for the top four with a 2-0 win over Kuwait. Group C saw China eliminated after a 1-0 loss to Indonesia in Jakarta. A first-half penalty from Ole Romeny was enough to keep out China, whose sole appearance was in 2002 Indonesia, coached by Patrick Kluivert, took the lead just before the break when Romeny converted from the penalty spot. Elsewhere in the group, a last-minute goal from Aziz Behich gave Australia a 1-0 win over Japan, already qualified, in Perth to put the Socceroos within touching distance of a sixth straight World Cup appearance. In the 90th minute, Riley McGree broke free down the right and pulled back for Behich to curl home to bring Perth Stadium to its feet and give Australia its first win over Japan in 16 years. 'It hasn't sunk in just yet but when the final whistle went it was a great feeling,' Behich said. 'It was a tough game and we had to grind it out. It's been a long campaign and we have worked so hard.' Australia has to avoid a five-goal defeat in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday to be sure after the west Asian team won 2-0 in Bahrain. (AP) UNG
Khaleej Times
26-03-2025
- Sport
- Khaleej Times
South Korea's Son bemoans poor pitches after another World Cup home draw
Captain Son Heung-min believes poor pitches have contributed to South Korea's stuttering World Cup qualifying campaign after the Taeguk Warriors were held to two home 1-1 draws in the March international window. South Korea still top Group B by three points after the draws with Oman in Goyang last Thursday and Jordan in Suwon on Tuesday but would have booked their ticket to the finals had they won either game. The matches were moved to regional cities because of poor pitch conditions at the Seoul World Cup Stadium but Son clearly did not find the surfaces in Goyang and Suwon much better. "I think there's a reason why we've had better results in away matches," the Tottenham Hotspur forward told Yonhap News Agency. "When we're at home, we're supposed to enjoy the best playing conditions possible, but things have not improved at all. "I know we can play better than this, but when conditions on our home soil get in the way, then I wonder where we should get our home field advantage. "I know this may sound like an excuse, but every small detail matters in football. It can make the difference of getting one point or getting three points. I hope people will pay closer attention to it." South Korea will secure their place in the finals for the 11th successive World Cup if they avoid defeat when they play Iraq in Basra on June 5 before returning home for their final round-three qualifier against Kuwait on June 10. Son said the South Korean players should humbly accept the lessons of the Jordan draw but added that he would be urging his younger teammates to hold their heads high. "Despite this disappointment, we're still leading our group and that's a fact. We want to stay there until the end of the round," he said. "For our young players, it can be an honour to play for the country but it can also put a lot of pressure on them. "I told them if we just keep working at it, we will finish in first place. I think the most important thing for these young guys is not to lose their confidence."
Reuters
26-03-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
South Korea's Son bemoans poor pitches after another World Cup home draw
SEOUL, March 26 (Reuters) - Captain Son Heung-min believes poor pitches have contributed to South Korea's stuttering World Cup qualifying campaign after the Taeguk Warriors were held to two home 1-1 draws in the March international window. South Korea still top Group B by three points after the draws with Oman in Goyang last Thursday and Jordan in Suwon on Tuesday but would have booked their ticket to the finals had they won either game. The matches were moved to regional cities because of poor pitch conditions at the Seoul World Cup Stadium but Son clearly did not find the surfaces in Goyang and Suwon much better. "I think there's a reason why we've had better results in away matches," the Tottenham Hotspur forward told Yonhap News Agency. "When we're at home, we're supposed to enjoy the best playing conditions possible, but things have not improved at all. "I know we can play better than this, but when conditions on our home soil get in the way, then I wonder where we should get our home field advantage. "I know this may sound like an excuse, but every small detail matters in football. It can make the difference of getting one point or getting three points. I hope people will pay closer attention to it." South Korea will secure their place in the finals for the 11th successive World Cup if they avoid defeat when they play Iraq in Basra on June 5 before returning home for their final round-three qualifier against Kuwait on June 10. Son said the South Korean players should humbly accept the lessons of the Jordan draw but added that he would be urging his younger teammates to hold their heads high. "Despite this disappointment, we're still leading our group and that's a fact. We want to stay there until the end of the round," he said. "For our young players, it can be an honour to play for the country but it can also put a lot of pressure on them. "I told them if we just keep working at it, we will finish in first place. I think the most important thing for these young guys is not to lose their confidence."
