'South Korea 15th, Japan 23rd' Gap Widens! U.S. Media Surprisingly Releases World Cup Power Rankings

*This content was translated by AI.

U.S. sports specialty outlet The Athletic newly released updated World Cup power rankings analyzing the strength of all 48 teams qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America. The highest-ranked team in Asia was South Korea, and the gap with Japan has actually widened compared to April.

According to The Athletic's World Cup power rankings released on the 7th (Korean time), South Korea is ranked 15th overall. This is one step up from the 16th place in the outlet's April rankings and a notably higher position compared to the FIFA ranking (25th). A 15th-place power ranking also implies that South Korea is assessed as having the strength to reach the World Cup round of 16. The Athletic is a subsidiary of The New York Times (NYT) in New York, U.S.

The outlet stated, "Some players on the South Korean national team are in poor condition or still recovering from injuries, and with limited playing time at their club teams ahead of the World Cup, the situation is not entirely positive. Son Heung-min (LAFC) has managed only two goals in 21 official matches this season, and key midfielder Hwang In-beom (Feyenoord) is also dealing with injury aftermath. Lee Kang-in (Paris Saint-Germain) did not play a single minute in the final four UEFA Champions League matches."

However, The Athletic also highlighted South Korea's upward momentum in pre-World Cup friendly matches and a relatively favorable group draw. The outlet added, "South Korea secured a decisive 5-0 victory over Trinidad and Tobago in a friendly match last week. Son Heung-min, who has been underperforming at his club, scored two goals, and Hwang In-beom also played in his return-from-injury match. In Group A, they were drawn with Mexico, South Africa, and the Czech Republic, considered the weakest team in the European qualifiers."

In contrast, Japan's power ranking dropped two steps to 23rd, compared to 21st in April. The gap with South Korea is now eight steps. The outlet noted, "With star player Kaoru Mitoma (Brighton & Hove Albion) sidelined due to injury, Japan's chances of standing out in this World Cup have diminished. Of course, the squad depth has improved compared to previous years, and they are participating in the World Cup for the eighth consecutive time. While they possess the talent to advance to higher rounds, they have no history of surpassing the round of 16."

South Korea's power ranking was clearly first even within Group A. Mexico, which holds the highest FIFA ranking in Group A and benefits from being the host nation, was ranked 19th, four steps below South Korea. South Africa was ranked 37th, and the Czech Republic 39th. This analysis differs from most other foreign media predictions, which rank Mexico highest, with South Korea and the Czech Republic competing for second place, and South Africa as the weakest team.

The Athletic named Spain as the top-ranked team overall for the second consecutive time since April. France moved up to second place, swapping positions with Argentina. The top 10 was completed by Brazil, England, Germany, the Netherlands, Portugal, Colombia, and Croatia in that order. England, previously sixth, and Germany, previously eighth, each rose two steps, while the Netherlands and Portugal saw their rankings drop.

Under coach Hong Myung-bo, South Korea will face the Czech Republic at 11 a.m. on the 12th, Mexico at 10 a.m. on the 19th (both in Guadalajara, Mexico), and South Africa at 10 a.m. on the 25th (in Monterrey, Mexico) in the Group A matches of the World Cup.

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

*This content was translated by AI.