Korea Advances to World Cup Finals for 11th Consecutive Time with 2-0 Victory over Iraq

Korea has secured its place in the World Cup finals for the 11th consecutive time.

Photo by Korea Football Association

The national football team, led by coach Hong Myungbo, defeated Iraq 2-0 in an away match at Basra International Stadium in Iraq on June 6 (Korea Standard Time), during the 9th match of Group B in the third round of the Asian qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA North and Central America World Cup.

Korea clinched the victory with a goal by Kim Jingyu, assisted by Lee Kangin in the 63rd minute, and another by Oh Hyungyu, assisted by Jeon Jinwoo in the 82nd minute. With this result, Korea secured 19 points from 5 wins and 4 draws in Group B, widening the gap to 7 points over third-place Iraq (3 wins, 3 draws, 3 losses, 12 points). As a result, regardless of the outcome of the final third-round qualifier against Kuwait at Seoul World Cup Stadium on June 10, Korea has secured a World Cup finals ticket, which is awarded to the top two teams in the group.