'World Cup D-50': New Power Ranking Released, Hong Myung-bo's Team Rated 20th Among 48 Nations

*This content was translated by AI.

• Fox Sports (U.S.)

With the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America just 50 days away, major international media outlets are increasingly releasing their own 'power rankings.' U.S. Fox Sports also analyzed the strength of teams qualifying for the World Cup and published its own power ranking, placing South Korea at 20th overall.

On the 22nd (Korean time), Fox Sports released its power ranking of the 48th nations that qualified for the North American World Cup. The South Korean national team, led by head coach Hong Myung-bo, was rated 20th. The outlet stated, "South Korea is a strong team, but they did not get favorable luck in the group draw," and added, "All of South Korea's group stage matches will be held in Mexico." According to the outlet, South Korea's World Cup championship odds rank only 33rd overall, but its power ranking by Fox Sports is significantly higher at 20th. The key player is undoubtedly Son Heung-min (LAFC).

Among the teams in the same group as South Korea, the ranking was second only to Mexico, which was rated 14th. The Czech Republic followed in 29th place, behind Mexico and South Korea. South Africa remained in 45th place, fourth from the bottom among the 48th nations, and was classified as the "weakest team" in Group A. The teams ranked 46th to 48th, below South Africa, were Panama, Curaçao, and Haiti, in that order.

In Asia, South Korea ranked second only to Japan. Japan was rated 18th overall, two spots higher than South Korea. The Asian power rankings followed with Iran (30th), Saudi Arabia (31st), Australia (36th), Jordan (37th), Uzbekistan (40th), Qatar (41st), and Iraq (42nd).

Côte d'Ivoire, the opponent against which South Korea suffered a 0-4 defeat in last month's A-match friendly, was ranked only 35th. Austria, which South Korea also lost to 0-1, was ranked 24th, lower than South Korea. Although South Korea lost all friendly matches, the outlet's analysis concluded that based on overall assessments including squad strength, South Korea would still rank ahead of both Côte d'Ivoire and Austria.

France topped the overall North American World Cup power rankings. They were followed by Spain, England, and Colombia. Notably, while Colombia's World Cup championship odds ranked only 11th overall, Fox Sports evaluated Colombia's strength as superior to teams such as Argentina, Portugal, Brazil, and the Netherlands, drawing attention.

Meanwhile, head coach Hong Myung-bo will announce the final World Cup roster on the 16th of next month and depart for the U.S., the pre-camp location, on the 18th. After playing two friendly matches in the U.S., the team will head to the decisive venue in Mexico on June 5. South Korea will face the Czech Republic on June 12 at 11 a.m., Mexico on the 19th at 10 a.m., and South Africa on the 25th at 10 a.m., in that order. The top two teams from each group, along with the eight best-performing third-placed teams across all 12 groups, will advance to the Round of 32.

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*This content was translated by AI.