'Kim Jingyu and Oh Hyungyu Score as Korea Reaches World Cup Finals for 11th Consecutive Time'

Hong Myungbo's Squad Claims 2-0 Victory in Iraq in Third-Round Qualifier
Numerical Advantage Secured After Opponent's Striker Sent Off in the 26th Minute

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

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

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

With this result, Korean football will appear in the World Cup finals for the 12th time in total, including its first appearance at the 1954 Switzerland tournament, and for the 11th consecutive time since the 1986 Mexico tournament. Only five countries have a record of 11 or more consecutive appearances: Brazil (22), Germany (18), Italy (14), Argentina (13), and Spain (12).

Coach Hong Myungbo gave captain Son Heungmin a complete rest by excluding him from the matchday squad, and selected Oh Sehun as the main striker.

Lee Jaesung, Lee Kangin, and Hwang Heechan played in the second line, while Hwang Inbeom and Park Yongwoo partnered in midfield. The back four consisted of Seol Youngwoo, Cho Yumin, Kwon Kyungwon, and Lee Taeseok, with Jo Hyunwoo guarding the goal.

The early stages of the match were closely contested. Iraq, hoping to reach the World Cup finals for the first time in 40 years with a victory, fiercely competed with the passionate support of their home fans.

[Photo by Korea Football Association]

The momentum shifted to Korea in the 26th minute of the first half when Iraq's main striker Ali Al-Hamadi was sent off. Al-Hamadi received a red card after raising his foot high enough to strike Cho Yumin's head while contesting for the ball.

With a numerical advantage, Korea pressed forward aggressively. However, they were unlucky, hitting the goalpost twice in the first half and failing to score.

In the 31st minute of the first half, Hwang Heechan had a brilliant chance from a set piece on the right, but his shot narrowly missed the target.

In the 36th minute, Hwang Heechan earned a free kick from a good position on the left flank. Lee Kangin delivered a sharp cross, which Lee Jaesung connected with a header, but the ball unfortunately struck the crossbar and bounced out. In stoppage time, Lee Kangin took a curling left-footed shot from just outside the right edge of the penalty arc, but again the ball hit the crossbar and bounced away.

The long-awaited opening goal for Korea came in the 63rd minute of the second half. Lee Kangin passed the ball to Kim Jingyu, who was making a run into the right side of Iraq's penalty box, and Kim calmly finished to give Korea the lead.

Korea continued their offensive and scored an additional goal in the 82nd minute of the second half. Hwang Inbeom delivered a sharp penetrating pass from midfield, Jeon Jinwoo brilliantly broke through the defensive line and sent in a cross, and Oh Hyungyu, who was making a run into the center, scored a decisive one-touch goal with his right foot to seal Korea's place in the World Cup finals.