'Why on earth?' Why play against teams ranked 102nd and 100th just before the World Cup? Coach Hong Myung-bo: "We could have faced better opponents" [Gwanghwamun On-site]

*This content was translated by AI.

As the Korea Football Association officially confirmed the schedule for the final two friendly matches against Trinidad and Tobago and El Salvador just before the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America, head coach Hong Myung-bo of the South Korea national team addressed public disappointment, sharing the practical difficulties and his honest feelings.

At a press conference held at 4 p.m. on the 16th at West Onmadang, KT Gwanghwamun Building, Jongno-gu, Seoul, to announce the final roster, Coach Hong frankly acknowledged the realistic limitations when asked about the regret over facing lower-ranked teams in the 100s just before the World Cup.

During the press conference, Coach Hong confessed, "It seems our conditions did not match with the teams we were unable to secure. Actually, finding friendly match opponents was extremely difficult." This admission acknowledges that while he fully understood fans' desire for stronger opponents who could serve as a powerful preventive measure before the tournament, the actual matching process encountered significant hurdles.

Nevertheless, Coach Hong explained that "practical benefits" were the core background of this matchup, far more important than simple rankings or the opponent's name value. Coach Hong stated, "We could have faced better opponents, but our first match will be in Guadalajara. We felt it would not be efficient to move to a different region for the friendly match instead of Salt Lake City," clarifying that the focus was on tactical preparation for high-altitude adaptation.

Since Guadalajara, Mexico, where the first and second group stage matches will be held, is at an altitude of 1,571 meters, the top priority was to avoid disrupting the itinerary to Salt Lake City, the pre-camp location before entering the base camp.

Coach Hong continued, "If we couldn't secure a national team opponent, we had considered playing against club teams. Fortunately, we secured El Salvador. I understand the fans' perspective, but from the national team's standpoint, I consider it fortunate."

Previously, the Korea Football Association officially announced that the team would play two final friendly matches against Trinidad and Tobago at 10 a.m. (Korean time) on the 31st and against El Salvador at 10 a.m. next month at BYU Southfield in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.

Immediately after the draw was revealed, voices of concern poured out from within and outside the football community. Both teams are ranked in the 100s in the FIFA rankings (Trinidad and Tobago 102nd, El Salvador 100th), a gap of more than 75 ranks from South Korea (25th), and they are weak teams from CONCACAF that failed to qualify for the 2026 North American World Cup finals.

Trinidad and Tobago was eliminated in third place in CONCACAF World Cup qualifying Group B, behind Curaçao and Jamaica, while El Salvador finished last in Group A. In their previous head-to-head encounters, both Trinidad and Tobago (2004) and El Salvador (2023) played one friendly match each in South Korea, resulting in 1-1 draws.

Although there is public regret, the Hong Myung-bo team, having finalized the final rehearsal lineup, will depart for the pre-camp location in the United States via Incheon International Airport on the 18th, embarking on the full journey without a domestic departure ceremony. Foreign-based players are scheduled to join the team in the United States after completing their club commitments.

After completing their final preparations by playing two friendly matches in Salt Lake City, USA, the Hong Myung-bo team will enter the decisive venue in Mexico on the 5th of next month (local time). South Korea is in Group A of the 2026 North American World Cup finals and will face Czech Republic in a fateful first match on June 12 at 11 a.m. They will then clash with host nation Mexico on the 19th at 10 a.m. and South Africa on the 25th at 10 a.m., respectively, embarking on the full-scale hunt to advance to the Round of 32.

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*This content was translated by AI.