Will Hong Myung-bo's team be able to truly leverage a home advantage this time? For starters, the grass condition at Suwon World Cup Stadium looks much better than that at Goyang Stadium.

The South Korean national football team, led by head coach Hong Myung-bo, will face Jordan in the 8th match of Group B of the Asian third qualifying round for the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Suwon World Cup Stadium on the 25th at 8 p.m.

Previously, South Korea drew 1-1 against Oman on the 20th. They couldn't maintain Hwang Hee-chan's opener scored near the end of the first half. With only 1 point added at home, South Korea remains at a precarious first place in the group with 15 points (4 wins, 3 draws), just 3 points ahead of Jordan in second place and Iraq in third place (both at 12 points).

The national team aimed to secure an early qualification for the World Cup for the 11th consecutive time in these two home games, but the draw against Oman thwarted those plans. There is a possibility they could lose the first-place position to either Jordan or Iraq. If South Korea loses to Jordan that day, standings could change.

Moreover, injury setbacks have emerged. Kim Min-jae could not join due to an Achilles injury, and during training, Jeong Seung-hyun injured his calf. Additionally, Baek Seung-ho and Lee Kang-in collapsed during the match against Oman. Jeong Seung-hyun, Baek Seung-ho, and Lee Kang-in have all been released from the squad and will not be able to play in the match against Jordan.

Grass issues have arisen again. The Korea Football Association held the match against Oman at Goyang Stadium instead of Seoul World Cup Stadium, which was embroiled in controversy over 'weeds on the pitch,' but the grass condition at Goyang Stadium was also poor. While this cannot be an excuse for their poor performance, it is undeniable that there were numerous issues with the grass in Goyang.

The inability to play well on the grass is also related to the injuries of Baek Seung-ho and Lee Kang-in. Players tripped over the loose and uneven grass. Indeed, both Baek Seung-ho and Lee Kang-in suffered injuries when their feet caught in the grass during quick turn movements.

Players who actually played have expressed their concerns. Seol Young-woo noted, "After playing in Europe, the grass is very difficult here, and I was worried about getting injured. There are so many unpredictable bounces that it's hard to anticipate."

Lee Jae-sung also pointed out, "When European players return to the K League, they might hesitate because of the grass issues. Many people are working hard, but I hope it improves. That way we can provide better matches to entertain the fans."

For now, the grass at Suwon World Cup Stadium, where the match against Jordan will be held, looks better than that in Goyang. Although there was an FA Cup match between Suwon Samsung and Seoul E-Land last week, the efforts of Suwon club and Suwon City Facility Management Corporation to improve the grass while relocating their home ground to Yongin Mir Stadium for six months last season have paid off.

Fortunately, without any rain, the grass at Suwon World Cup Stadium, just over two hours before kickoff, appears to be in good condition. There are no visible large patches. A representative from the Korea Football Association also stated, "Compared to Goyang, the grass is definitely in better condition. However, the surface is quite hard, so the players may need to adapt a bit."

The better the grass, the more possession of the ball and the more passes South Korea can attempt, allowing them to showcase their skills. Unlike the match against Oman, they can seize a proper home advantage. Furthermore, the 41,000-seat stands at Suwon World Cup Stadium are expected to be filled with the Red Devils. Tickets have sold out quickly.

However, one variable is the sudden strong winds. A wind advisory has been issued for the nearby cities of Hwaseong, Siheung, and Ansan. Suwon is currently under a strong wind warning, but strong winds are already blowing. The Korea Football Association even had to end the 'KFA PlayGround' event early due to safety concerns.

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