The Fate of the Draw Approaches... Hong Myung-bo’s Squad Faces a ‘Heaven or Hell’ Crossroads on the Road to the World Cup Round of 16

On the morning of the 6th, at 2 a.m., the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts (Kennedy Center) in Washington, D.C., U.S., will host the event that will determine the fate of Korean football for the next four years. This is where the group draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup will take place.
The world is watching to see whether the South Korea national football team, led by Hong Myung-bo, will receive a 'rosy fortune' or be placed in a dreaded 'group of death.'
For the first time in history, 48 nations will compete in the World Cup finals. Unlike the previous 32-team format, teams that advance from the group stage will now face an additional 'Round of 32' knockout phase. Achieving the initial goal of reaching the Round of 16 makes group stage results more crucial than ever. Only the top two teams from each group, along with the best-performing third-place teams, will progress.
South Korea, ranked 22nd by FIFA, has secured a spot in Pot 2. This means they will avoid facing tough opponents like Uruguay, Republic of Croatia, and Colombia in the group stage, which is certainly an advantage. However, it is too early to relax, as there are still 'dark horses' lurking in Pots 3 and 4.
The worst-case scenario, as feared by the football community, is clear. Drawing a perennial favorite such as the Federative Republic of Brazil, world number one Spain, or France from Pot 1 would be daunting. Pot 3 also poses a threat. If Norway, led by star striker Erling Braut Haaland, or African powerhouses like the Arab Republic of Egypt or People's Democratic Republic of Algeria join the group, the advantage of being in Pot 2 could quickly disappear.
To make matters worse, if Italy, known for its formidable defense and possibly entering Pot 4 via the UEFA playoffs, ends up in the same group, it could become one of the toughest 'groups of death' ever.
On the other hand, there is also hope for the best-case scenario. The key would be to draw one of the host nations from Pot 1. Of course, the U.S., Mexico, and Canada, each with home advantage, will not be easy opponents. However, compared to the European and South American powerhouses, they are considered more manageable. Experts view Canada as the most favorable draw among them.
If facing a European team is unavoidable, being grouped with Scotland from Pot 3 would be preferable. Compared to potential Pot 4 teams like Italy or the Kingdom of Sweden, Scotland is seen as a less challenging opponent. Additionally, if the Republic of South Africa or Panama from Pot 3, and Curaçao or the Republic of Haiti from Pot 4, are drawn into the same group, Hong Myung-bo’s squad will have a promising path to the Round of 16.

jsi@fnnews.com Jeon Sang-il Reporter