Hong Myung-bo Team World Cup First Match Opponent, Finalist 'Only Two Teams' Left

*This content was translated by AI.

The first opponent of the South Korean national soccer team, led by head coach Hong Myung-bo, in the 2026 FIFA North-China World Cup finals has been narrowed down to two teams, the Czech Republic and Denmark. The Czech Republic and Denmark each won in the European Playoff (PO) Pass D semi-finals, where they will face off in the final round for a ticket to the finals.

At 4:45 a.m. on the 27th (Korea Standard Time), the Czech Republic defeated Ireland in the semi-final of the UEFA Pass D match at Fortuna Arena in Prague after a penalty shootout (2-2, PSO 4-3).

Earlier, Denmark defeated North Macedonia 4-0 to reach the European PO Pass D final.

Hong Myung-bo Team will play its first group match against the winner of the European Playoff (PO) Pass D final at 11 a.m. on June 12th.

Ireland led 2-0 in the 19th minute of the first half by combining Troy Parrott (AZ Alkmaar)'s penalty goal and the opponent's goalkeeper's own goal in the 23rd minute of the first half. However, the Czech Republic's counterattack was also not easy. In the 27th minute of the first half, Patrik Sikh (Bayer Leverkusen) scored a penalty kick comeback goal to set the chase on fire, and Radislav Krejic (Wolverhampton Wanderers) equalized the header in the 41st minute of the second half to balance the 2-2 match.

The two teams, which could not compete in the subsequent overtime, entered the penalty shootout. Ireland's first kicker Parrott shook the net with a right footed shot, and Czech No. 1 kicker Krejic's shot went in against Kelleher's hand. Ireland's Adam Idah (Swansea City) and Czech Republic's Tomasz Soucek (West Ham United) all made it.

The flow was cut off at kicker number three. Kelleher blocked Czech Mozimir Sithil's kick. However, at kicker number 4, Matte Kovarsi (PSV Eindhoven) saved the Czech Republic from the crisis. While blocking Finn Azaz's shot, Czech Republic balanced 3-3 with No. 4 kicker Chic succeeding.

The game was split at kicker number five. Kovarsi jumped to the right and punched the shot of Ireland's No. 5 kicker. Czech Clement's shot then cut into the net, and the Czech Republic confirmed its path to the European Pass D final.

Denmark defeated North Macedonia 4-0 in the semifinals at 4:45 a.m. on the 27th in Parken, Copenhagen, Denmark. Denmark, which finished 0-0 in the first half, completed a great victory in the fourth minute of the second half with Mikel Damsgaard (Brentford)'s first goal, Gustav Isaksen (Raccio)'s multi-goal in the 13th and 14th minutes of the second half, and Christian Neungor (Arnall)'s net in the 30th minute of the second half.

A total of 16 teams participated in the UEFA playoffs, including 12 countries ranked second in each European qualifying group and four countries based on Nations League performance. They will be divided into four passes of four teams to play the tournament, and only the final winner of each pass will qualify for the World Cup finals. Among them, Pass D is the section where Korea's first opponent in the 2026 FIFA North and Central America World Cup finals is decided. Denmark and the Czech Republic, who won the semifinals, will clash with each other for a ticket to the final round in a single match at their home stadium in the Czech Republic on April 1.

The Czech Republic, which has reached the final, has a strong lineup including Patrik Sikh, Soucek, and Vladimir Coufal (Hopenheim). In response, Denmark ranks 21st in the FIFA rankings, and is considered the most likely candidate in Pass D. Veteran midfield players such as Christian Eriksen (Wolfsburg) and Pierre-Emile Hoibier (Marceu), as well as Neungor, Damsgor and Rasmus Hoyleun (Napoli), are key players.

On the other hand, Ireland, which was eliminated in the semifinals, had English Premier League (EPL) stars such as Quibin Kelleher (Brentford), Seamus Coleman and Jake O'Brien (Everton), but they could not overcome the Czech Republic's backside. North Macedonia was also an ambush with big leaguers such as Elif Elmas (Napoli) and Stole Dimitrievsky (Valencia), but was blocked by a Danish wall.

As a result, Hong Myung-bo Team's first opponent in 2026 FIFA North and Central America World Cup was narrowed down to Denmark or the Czech Republic. Hong Myung-bo Team is staying in Europe for two consecutive games against Ivory Coast on the 28th and Austria on the 1st. Hong Myung-bo Team's coaching staff and analysts will watch the UEFA playoff final in person and closely analyze the opponents' power.

<© STARNEWS. All rights reserved. No reproduction or redistribution allowed.>

*This content was translated by AI.