"The key is to unite the atmosphere, such as Korean soccer, manager change, and team infighting." Japanese media analysis

*This content was translated by AI.

Japanese media analyzed that the biggest issue for the South Korean national soccer team's 2026 FIFA 2026 FIFA North and Central America World Cup performance will eventually be a chaotic atmosphere such as managerial change and team infighting.

In an article analyzing the death group based on the average FIFA ranking of each group in the group stage in 2026 FIFA North and Central America World Cup on the 14th, the Football Channel, a Japanese soccer media outlet, ranked South Korea's Group A as the eighth overall and analyzed, "South Korea has been shaken by managerial changes and team infighting over the past four years," adding, "It is important how to consolidate."

In fact, South Korea appointed Jürgen Klinsmann (Germany) after advancing to the round of 16 at the 2022 Qatar World Cup, but Klinsmann was replaced only a year later. Since then, a new head coach has not been appointed, and Hong Myung-bo is set to take the helm and face a 2026 FIFA North and Central America World Cup through the interim coaches Hwang Sun-hong and Kim Do-hoon. In the process, conflicts within the national team arose during the 2024 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup, including a clash between Son Heung-min (LAFC) and Lee Kang-in (Paris Saint-Germain).

The media said, "There are star players in Korea, including Son Heung-min and Kim Min-jae (Bayern Munich) and Lee Kang-in," but added that how to set the atmosphere inside and outside the national team, which has been so chaotic over the past four years, will be a variable that will determine the success or failure of the 2026 FIFA North and Central America World Cup.

Regarding Group A, which includes South Korea, Mexico, the Czech Republic, and South Africa, it was analyzed that "the biggest feature is that there is a small difference in power by port, and that any national team is fierce enough to pass the group stage."

The media said, "Mexico should be considered the least competent among the Port 1 teams. Ace Santiago Jimenez (AC Milan) leaves anxiety in his decision-making power, with no goals in Serie A this season in the aftermath of his injury. "The key will be whether we can regain our organizational power under coach Javier Aguirre," he said.

"South Africa is confident because it is playing in its first World Cup since the 2010 tournament held in its own country, but few players play in major European leagues. As such, there are expectations for the birth of a new star, he added. "The Czech Republic is not a highly regarded team in the European playoffs, but it is still predicting a turmoil as it beat Denmark."

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*This content was translated by AI.