In the end, Hong Myung-bo's team is expected to go to the World Cup without facing a pot 1 powerhouse.
Spanish paper AS announced on the 16th, "The champions of UEFA and CONMEBOL will face each other. Spain and Argentina have decided to meet on March 27, 2026, in Doha, Qatar."
Spain and Argentina will swap opponents and also face other teams in Doha. Euro champion Spain and last World Cup champion Argentina will determine the best. It will be a preview of a World Cup final.
Football god Lionel Messi (37, Inter Miami) and next-generation prodigy Lamine Yamal (18, Barcelona) will also square off in a mentor-protégé Barcelona matchup. It is a blockbuster among big cards as the world's top players face each other.
Meanwhile, the possibility that Korea will not face any pot 1 top teams before the World Cup has become very high. Strong teams are already announcing their schedules one after another.
The South Korea national team led by Hong Myung-bo will compete in Group A at the 2026 CONCACAF World Cup with host country Mexico, South Africa, and the winner of European qualifying group D. They avoided a European powerhouse by meeting host Mexico in pot 1. Korea's first World Cup opponent will be one of Denmark, North Macedonia, the Czech Republic or Ireland.
Korea is expected to face pot 3 teams such as Austria and Tunisia in March friendlies. It is a strategy keeping South Africa and Europe in mind. Still, it is regrettable not to be able to compete with powerhouses such as the Netherlands.
Rival Japan will play England. The Japan Football Association announced on the 10th, "The Japan national team will play a friendly against England at Wembley Stadium in Britain on March 31, 2026."
England, ranked fourth in the FIFA rankings, is lined with superstars playing in the Premier League, including top scorer Harry Kane. Japan has never beaten England in their history, with a record of one draw and two losses. Japan has scored three goals and conceded five against England.
Japan national team coach Hajime Moriyasu said, "I am very pleased to be able to play against England, which is called top-class even in the world, at the football shrine Wembley Stadium. I thank everyone who arranged the match. With World Cup groupings already confirmed, we will aim for victory against one of the world's top opponents," showing strong confidence.
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