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'Even predicted World Cup scores have emerged': ESPN forecasts South Korea to reach Round of 32 with 1 win and 2 draws; Round of 16 is 'disappointment'

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Kim Myeongseok
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*This content was translated by AI.

'The South Korean national football team held its first training session on the 6th at Chivas Valle Verde in Guadalajara, Mexico, five days before the 2026 North American World Cup. Players, including Son Heung-min, are seen conducting running drills. Under coach Hong Myung-bo, South Korea will face Czech Republic in a fateful Group Stage opener on June 12 at 11 a.m. (Korean time), followed by a pivotal second match against host nation Mexico on the 19th at 10 a.m., both to be played in Guadalajara. /Photo=Chief correspondent Kim Jin-kyung
'The South Korean national football team held its first training session on the 6th at Chivas Valle Verde in Guadalajara, Mexico, five days before the 2026 North American World Cup. Players, including Son Heung-min, are seen conducting running drills. Under coach Hong Myung-bo, South Korea will face Czech Republic in a fateful Group Stage opener on June 12 at 11 a.m. (Korean time), followed by a pivotal second match against host nation Mexico on the 19th at 10 a.m., both to be played in Guadalajara. /Photo=Chief correspondent Kim Jin-kyung
'The South Korean national football team held its first training session on the 6th at Chivas Verde Valle in Guadalajara, Mexico, five days before the 2026 North American World Cup. Players, including Son Heung-min, are seen conducting running drills. Under coach Hong Myung-bo, South Korea will face Czech Republic in a fateful Group Stage opener on June 12 at 11 a.m. (Korean time), followed by a pivotal second match against host nation Mexico on the 19th at 10 a.m., both to be played in Guadalajara. /Photo=Chief correspondent Kim Jin-kyung
'The South Korean national football team held its first training session on the 6th at Chivas Verde Valle in Guadalajara, Mexico, five days before the 2026 North American World Cup. Players, including Son Heung-min, are seen conducting running drills. Under coach Hong Myung-bo, South Korea will face Czech Republic in a fateful Group Stage opener on June 12 at 11 a.m. (Korean time), followed by a pivotal second match against host nation Mexico on the 19th at 10 a.m., both to be played in Guadalajara. /Photo=Chief correspondent Kim Jin-kyung

'ESPN has predicted that the South Korean national football team will advance to the Round of 32 with a record of 1 win and 2 draws in the group stage of the 2026 FIFA North American World Cup.

'On the 7th (Korean time), ESPN predicted the outcomes of the group stage and tournament of the North American World Cup, forecasting that South Korea, led by coach Hong Myung-bo, would draw with Czech Republic and Mexico in succession, then narrowly advance to the Round of 32 with a victory against South Africa in the final match.

'Specifically, ESPN predicts South Korea will draw 1-1 with both Czech Republic and Mexico, then defeat South Africa 2-1 in the final match against the group's weakest team, finishing with 5 points (1 win, 2 draws) and a goal difference of +1, securing second place in the group.

'In Group A, Mexico is expected to finish first with 7 points (2 wins, 1 draw; goal difference +3), followed by Czech Republic (1 win, 1 draw, 1 loss; 4 points) and South Africa (3 losses; 0 points). This tournament allows the top two teams from each group, as well as the eight best third-placed teams among the 12th groups, to advance to the Round of 32 knockout stage.

'ESPN's 2026 FIFA North American World Cup Group A group stage score predictions and projected final standings. /Photo=ESPN website screenshot
'ESPN's 2026 FIFA North American World Cup Group A group stage score predictions and projected final standings. /Photo=ESPN website screenshot

'ESPN also predicts that South Korea's World Cup journey will end in the first round of the Round of 32 knockout stage against Canada, another host nation. The outlet forecasts South Korea will lose 1-2 to Canada and be eliminated from the tournament. Canada is predicted to finish second in Group B with 7 points (2 wins, 1 draw) and advance to the Round of 32.

'Among the teams in Group A alongside South Korea, Mexico is expected to defeat Scotland 1-0 in the Round of 32 and reach the Round of 16, but will lose to England and fail to advance to the quarterfinals. Czech Republic, which is predicted to finish third in the group and reach the Round of 32, is expected to lose to Belgium and be eliminated in the first round of the knockout stage.

'In Asia, besides South Korea and Japan, Uzbekistan and Iran are also projected to reach the Round of 32 knockout stage. ESPN predicts Japan will advance from Group F as the top team (2 wins, 1 draw; 7 points), Iran will advance from Group G as the third-placed team (3 draws; 3 points), and Uzbekistan will advance from Group K as the second-placed team (1 win, 2 losses; 3 points).

'While South Korea and Uzbekistan are expected to be eliminated in the Round of 32, Japan is predicted to draw 1-1 with Brazil and advance to the Round of 16 via a penalty shootout, and Iran is expected to defeat Switzerland 1-0 and also reach the Round of 16. However, Japan is predicted to lose 0-1 to Canada, and Iran is expected to lose 0-2 to Colombia, both failing to advance to the quarterfinals.

'With co-hosts the United States and Canada, as well as Colombia, unexpectedly reaching the quarterfinals, and Norway unexpectedly reaching the semifinals, ESPN's final tournament prediction is that Spain will defeat Argentina 2-1 and win the championship.

'The South Korean national football team held its first training session on the 6th at Chivas Verde Valle in Guadalajara, Mexico, five days before the 2026 North American World Cup. Players, including Son Heung-min, are seen conducting running drills. Under coach Hong Myung-bo, South Korea will face Czech Republic in a fateful Group Stage opener on June 12 at 11 a.m. (Korean time), followed by a pivotal second match against host nation Mexico on the 19th at 10 a.m., both to be played in Guadalajara. /Photo=Chief correspondent Kim Jin-kyung
'The South Korean national football team held its first training session on the 6th at Chivas Verde Valle in Guadalajara, Mexico, five days before the 2026 North American World Cup. Players, including Son Heung-min, are seen conducting running drills. Under coach Hong Myung-bo, South Korea will face Czech Republic in a fateful Group Stage opener on June 12 at 11 a.m. (Korean time), followed by a pivotal second match against host nation Mexico on the 19th at 10 a.m., both to be played in Guadalajara. /Photo=Chief correspondent Kim Jin-kyung
'The South Korean national football team held its first training session on the 6th at Chivas Valle Verde in Guadalajara, Mexico, five days before the 2026 North American World Cup. Park Hang-seo, head of the North American World Cup support team, is seen observing the players' training. Under coach Hong Myung-bo, South Korea will face Czech Republic in a fateful Group Stage opener on June 12 at 11 a.m. (Korean time), followed by a pivotal second match against host nation Mexico on the 19th at 10 a.m., both to be played in Guadalajara. /Photo=Chief correspondent Kim Jin-kyung
'The South Korean national football team held its first training session on the 6th at Chivas Valle Verde in Guadalajara, Mexico, five days before the 2026 North American World Cup. Park Hang-seo, head of the North American World Cup support team, is seen observing the players' training. Under coach Hong Myung-bo, South Korea will face Czech Republic in a fateful Group Stage opener on June 12 at 11 a.m. (Korean time), followed by a pivotal second match against host nation Mexico on the 19th at 10 a.m., both to be played in Guadalajara. /Photo=Chief correspondent Kim Jin-kyung

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*This content was translated by AI.

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