South Korea national football team facts for kids
Nickname(s) | Taegeuk Warriors (Hangul: 태극전사) Tigers of Asia (Hangul: 아시아의 호랑이) |
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Association | Korea Football Association (KFA) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Confederation | AFC (Asia) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sub-confederation | EAFF (East Asia) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Head coach | Hong Myung-bo | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Captain | Son Heung-min | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Most caps | Cha Bum-kun Hong Myung-bo (136) |
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Top scorer | Cha Bum-kun (58) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
FIFA code | KOR | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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FIFA ranking | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Current | 38 15 (7 February 2019) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Highest | 17 (December 1998) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Lowest | 69 (November 2014 – January 2015) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
First international | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
South Korea 5–3 Mexico (London, England; 2 August 1948) |
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Biggest win | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
South Korea 16–0 Nepal (Incheon, South Korea; 29 September 2003) |
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Biggest defeat | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
South Korea 0–12 Sweden (London, England; 5 August 1948) |
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World Cup | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Appearances | 11 (first in 1954) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Best result | Fourth place (2002) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Asian Cup | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Appearances | 15 (first in 1956) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Best result | Champions (1956, 1960) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
EAFF Championship | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Appearances | 9 (first in 2003) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Best result | Champions (2003, 2008, 2015, 2017, 2019) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Confederations Cup | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Appearances | 1 (first in 2001) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Best result | Group stage (2001) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Medal record
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South Korea national football team | |
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Hangul | 대한민국 축구 국가대표팀 |
Hanja | 大韓民國 蹴球 國家代表팀 |
Revised Romanization | Daehan Min'guk Chukgu Gukga Daepyo Tim |
McCune–Reischauer | Taehan Min'guk Ch'ukku Kukka Taep'yo T'im |
The South Korea national football team (Korean: 대한민국 축구 국가대표팀; recognized as Korea Republic by FIFA) represents South Korea in men's international football and is governed by the Korea Football Association, a member of FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).
South Korea has emerged as a major football power in Asia since the 1980s, having participated in ten consecutive and eleven overall FIFA World Cup tournaments, the most for any Asian country. Despite initially going through five World Cup tournaments without winning a match, South Korea became the first (and so far only) Asian team to reach the semi-finals when they co-hosted the 2002 tournament with Japan. South Korea also has won two AFC Asian Cup titles, and finished as runners-up on four occasions. Furthermore, the team won three gold medals and three silver medals at the senior Asian Games.
The team is commonly nicknamed the "Reds" by both fans and the media due to the color of their primary kit. The national team's supporting group is officially referred to as the Red Devils.
Contents
History
History of the South Korea national football team
Team image
Nicknames
The South Korea national football team has been known or nicknamed as the Taegeuk Warriors (Hangul: 태극전사) and the Tigers of Asia (Hangul: 아시아의 호랑이).
Kits and crest
Red is the traditional shirt color of the South Korean national team, who are consequently nicknamed the "Reds", while the fans are called the "Red Devils". The away shirt has varied between white and blue. In 1994, the home shirt shifted from red to white, but in October 1995, red returned as the home color, paired with black shorts.
South Korea used to wear the country's flag as their shirt badge until 2001, when their tiger crest was unveiled. On 5 February 2020, the KFA announced a new, more simplistic logo. The emblem retained the tiger, albeit in a more minimalist design, enclosed in a rectangular frame. Red, blue and white, South Korea's traditional colors, have been maintained in the new logo.
Kit suppliers
Kit supplier | Period | Notes |
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Adidas, Asics, Kolon Sports, Pro-Specs, Weekend | 1977–1986 | South Korea contracted with Adidas as their first official kit sponsor, but they did not have an exclusive kit sponsor at that time. |
Rapido | (Weekend)1987–1995 | Signed a long-term contract with Weekend (renamed Rapido in January 1988) in 1987. |
Nike | 1996–present | Contracted at the end of 1995, and sponsored since 1 January 1996. |
Kit deals
Kit supplier | Period | Contract date | Contract duration | Total | Annual | Ref. |
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Nike | 1996–present |
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1996–1997 | $3 million | $1.5 million | |
16 December 1997 | 1998–2002 | $38 million | $7.6 million | |||
9 January 2003 | 2003–2007 | $50 million | $10.0 million | |||
23 October 2007 | 2008–2011 | $49 million | $12.3 million | |||
13 January 2012 | 2012–2019 | $120 million | $15.0 million | |||
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2020–2031 | $204 million | $17.0 million |
Home stadium
The South Korea national team played their first home match at the Dongdaemun Stadium on 21 April 1956. The match was a qualifier for the 1956 AFC Asian Cup against the Philippines. They currently play their home matches at several stadiums, which are also used by K League clubs.
Rivalries
South Korea's biggest rival is Japan. The rivalry is an extension of a competitive rivalry between the two nations that goes beyond football, and some matches in the past have been tainted with controversy. South Korea leads the all-time series with 42 wins, 23 draws and 16 losses.
A rivalry has also developed with Iran. The two nations have played against each other officially since 1958, totalling 33 matches as of March 2022, including eleven World Cup qualifiers. South Korea and Iran were among the strongest Asian national teams during the 1960s and 1970s. Although the teams played against each other only once in the final match of the Asian Cup, in 1972, they have faced each other five consecutive times in the quarter-finals between 1996 and 2011, with each team recording two wins, two losses, and a draw. Iran leads the all-time series with 13 wins, 10 draws and 10 losses.
Another major rival is Australia. In head-to-head matches, each team achieved 9 wins in 29 encounters, and 11 matches ended in a draw. The two countries have also met in four matches at the Asian Cup, including the 2015 final, where Australia won 2–1 after extra time for their first ever Asian championship.
South Korea has had great success against China, as China failed to beat them in competitive matches for 32 years before finally winning in 2010. They also possess a strong rivalry with North Korea, though matches are infrequent due to diplomatic and security reasons.
Supporters
The official supporter group of the national team, the Red Devils, were founded in 1995. Known for their passionate support, they are commonly referred to as the 12th man. Their most common chant is "Dae~ Han-Min-Guk"Hangul: 대~한민국), followed by five claps.
(The FIFA Fan Fest was introduced at the 2002 World Cup in South Korea.
Recent results and fixtures
The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.
Win Draw Loss Fixture
2024
Friendly 6 January | South Korea | 1–0 | Iraq | Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates | ||
17:00 UTC+4 | https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2024/01/06/world/friendlies/iraq/korea-republic/4294194/ | Stadium: New York University Stadium Attendance: 100 Referee: Yahya Al-Mulla (United Arab Emirates) |
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2023 AFC Asian Cup Group E 15 January | South Korea | 3–1 | Bahrain | Al Rayyan, Qatar | ||
14:30 UTC+3 | https://www.the-afc.com/en/matches/afc-asian-cup/2023/2363548 | Stadium: Jassim bin Hamad Stadium Attendance: 8,388 Referee: Ma Ning (China) |
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2023 AFC Asian Cup Group E 20 January | Jordan | 2–2 | South Korea | Doha, Qatar | ||
14:30 UTC+3 | https://www.the-afc.com/en/matches/afc-asian-cup/2023/2363549 |
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Stadium: Al Thumama Stadium Attendance: 36,627 Referee: Salman Falahi (Qatar) |
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2023 AFC Asian Cup Group E 25 January | South Korea | 3–3 | Malaysia | Al Wakrah, Qatar | ||
14:30 UTC+3 |
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https://www.the-afc.com/en/matches/afc-asian-cup/2023/2363551 |
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Stadium: Al Janoub Stadium Attendance: 30,117 Referee: Khalid Al-Turais (Saudi Arabia) |
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2023 AFC Asian Cup round of 16 30 January | Saudi Arabia | 1–1 (2–4 pen)
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South Korea | Al Rayyan, Qatar | ||
19:00 UTC+3 | https://www.the-afc.com/en/matches/afc-asian-cup/2023/2363591 | Stadium: Education City Stadium Attendance: 42,389 Referee: Ilgiz Tantashev (Uzbekistan) |
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Penalties | ||||||
*Kanno
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* Son Heung-min
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2023 AFC Asian Cup quarter-finals 2 February | Australia | 1–2 | South Korea | Al Wakrah, Qatar | ||
18:30 UTC+3 |
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https://www.the-afc.com/en/matches/afc-asian-cup/2023/2363567 |
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Stadium: Al Janoub Stadium Attendance: 39,632 Referee: Ahmed Al-Kaf (Oman) |
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2023 AFC Asian Cup semi-finals 6 February | Jordan | 2–0 | South Korea | Al Rayyan, Qatar | ||
18:00 UTC+3 | https://www.the-afc.com/en/matches/afc-asian-cup/2023/2363570 | Stadium: Ahmad bin Ali Stadium Attendance: 42,850 Referee: Mohammed Abdulla Hassan Mohamed (United Arab Emirates) |
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2026 FIFA World Cup qualification 21 March | South Korea | 1–1 | Thailand | Seoul, South Korea | ||
20:00 UTC+9 |
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https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2024/03/21/asia/wc-qualifying-asia/korea-republic/thailand/4190925/ | Stadium: Seoul World Cup Stadium Attendance: 64,912 Referee: Khalid Al-Turais (Saudi Arabia) |
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2026 FIFA World Cup qualification 26 March | Thailand | 0–3 | South Korea | Bangkok, Thailand | ||
19:30 UTC+7 | https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2024/03/26/asia/wc-qualifying-asia/thailand/korea-republic/4190926/ |
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Stadium: Rajamangala Stadium Attendance: 45,458 Referee: Adham Makhadmeh (Jordan) |
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2026 FIFA World Cup qualification 6 June | Singapore | 0–7 | South Korea | Kallang, Singapore | ||
20:00 UTC+8 | https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2024/06/06/asia/wc-qualifying-asia/singapore/korea-republic/4190933/ |
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Stadium: Singapore National Stadium Attendance: 49,097 Referee: Sadullo Gulmurodi (Tajikistan) |
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2026 FIFA World Cup qualification 11 June | South Korea | 1–0 | China | Seoul, South Korea | ||
20:00 UTC+9 | https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2024/06/11/asia/wc-qualifying-asia/korea-republic/china-pr/4190928/ | Stadium: Seoul World Cup Stadium Attendance: 64,935 Referee: Mohammed Al Hoish (Saudi Arabia) |
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2026 FIFA World Cup qualification 5 September | South Korea | 0–0 | [[Palestinian National Authority {{{altlink}}}|Palestinian National Authority]] | Seoul, South Korea | ||
20:00 UTC+9 | https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2024/09/05/asia/wc-qualifying-asia/korea-republic/palestine/4382630/ | Stadium: Seoul World Cup Stadium Attendance: 59,579 Referee: Alireza Faghani (Australia) |
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2026 FIFA World Cup qualification 10 September | Oman | 1–3 | South Korea | Muscat, Oman | ||
18:00 UTC+4 | https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2024/09/10/asia/wc-qualifying-asia/oman/korea-republic/4382635/ |
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Stadium: Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex Attendance: 27,144 Referee: Ma Ning (China) |
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2026 FIFA World Cup qualification 10 October | Jordan | 0–2 | South Korea | Amman, Jordan | ||
17:00 UTC+3 | https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2024/10/10/asia/wc-qualifying-asia/jordan/korea-republic/4382636/ | Stadium: Amman International Stadium Attendance: 14,655 Referee: Hiroyuki Kimura (Japan) |
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2026 FIFA World Cup qualification 15 October | South Korea | 3–2 | Iraq | Yongin, South Korea | ||
20:00 UTC+9 | https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2024/10/15/asia/wc-qualifying-asia/korea-republic/iraq/4382641/ | Stadium: Yongin Mireu Stadium Attendance: 35,198 Referee: Rustam Lutfullin (Uzbekistan) |
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2026 FIFA World Cup qualification 14 November | Kuwait | 1–3 | South Korea | Kuwait City, Kuwait | ||
17:00 UTC+3 | https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2024/11/14/asia/wc-qualifying-asia/kuwait/korea-republic/4382643/ |
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Stadium: Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium Attendance: 22,791 Referee: Shaun Evans (Australia) |
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2026 FIFA World Cup qualification 19 November | [[Palestinian National Authority {{{altlink}}}|Palestinian National Authority]] | 1–1 | South Korea | Amman, Jordan | ||
17:00 UTC+3 | https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2024/11/19/asia/wc-qualifying-asia/palestine/korea-republic/4382645/ |
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Stadium: Amman International Stadium Attendance: 2,405 Referee: Yusuke Araki (Japan) |
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2025
2026 FIFA World Cup qualification 20 March | South Korea | v | Oman | South Korea | ||
2026 FIFA World Cup qualification 25 March | South Korea | v | Jordan | South Korea | ||
2026 FIFA World Cup qualification 5 June | Iraq | v | South Korea | Iraq | ||
2026 FIFA World Cup qualification 10 June | South Korea | v | Kuwait | South Korea | ||
All-time results
Year | GP | W | D | L | Win % | Matches |
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1948–1959 | 48 | 28 | 9 | 11 | 58.33 | Matches |
1960–1969 | 90 | 52 | 15 | 23 | 57.78 | Matches |
1970–1979 | 186 | 117 | 44 | 25 | 62.90 | Matches |
1980–1989 | 129 | 75 | 29 | 25 | 58.14 | Matches |
1990–1999 | 151 | 70 | 45 | 36 | 46.36 | Matches |
2000–2009 | 171 | 76 | 56 | 39 | 44.44 | Matches |
2010–2019 | 154 | 81 | 31 | 42 | 52.60 | Matches |
2020–present | 59 | 35 | 14 | 10 | 59.32 | Matches |
Total | 988 | 534 | 243 | 211 | 54.05 | — |
Coaching staff
Position | Name |
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Manager | Hong Myung-bo |
Assistant manager | João Aroso |
Tactical coach | Tiago Maia |
Coaches | Park Kun-ha Kim Dong-jin Kim Jin-kyu |
Goalkeeping coach | Yang Yeong-min |
Fitness coaches | Lee Jae-hong Jung Hyun-gyu |
Players
Current squad
The following players were called up for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification matches against Kuwait and Palestine on 14 and 19 November 2024, respectively.
Caps and goals updated as of 19 November 2024, after the match against Palestine.
No. | Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club |
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1 | GK | Kim Kyeong-min | 1 November 1991 | 0 | 0 | Gwangju FC |
12 | GK | Lee Chang-geun | 30 August 1993 | 1 | 0 | Daejeon Hana Citizen |
21 | GK | Jo Hyeon-woo | 25 September 1991 | 39 | 0 | Ulsan HD |
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2 | DF | Kim Moon-hwan | 1 August 1995 | 28 | 0 | Daejeon Hana Citizen |
3 | DF | Lee Myung-jae | 4 November 1993 | 7 | 0 | Ulsan HD |
4 | DF | Kim Min-jae | 15 November 1996 | 69 | 4 | Bayern Munich |
13 | DF | Lee Ki-hyuk | 7 July 2000 | 1 | 0 | Gangwon FC |
14 | DF | Cho Yu-min | 17 November 1996 | 11 | 0 | Sharjah |
15 | DF | Jung Seung-hyun | 3 April 1994 | 26 | 1 | Al-Wasl |
20 | DF | Kwon Kyung-won | 31 January 1992 | 32 | 2 | Khor Fakkan |
22 | DF | Seol Young-woo | 5 December 1998 | 22 | 0 | Red Star Belgrade |
DF | Lee Tae-seok | 28 July 2002 | 1 | 0 | Pohang Steelers | |
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5 | MF | Paik Seung-ho | 17 March 1997 | 20 | 3 | Birmingham City |
6 | MF | Hwang In-beom | 20 September 1996 | 66 | 6 | Feyenoord |
7 | MF | Son Heung-min (captain) | 8 July 1992 | 131 | 51 | Tottenham Hotspur |
8 | MF | Park Yong-woo | 10 September 1993 | 20 | 0 | Al-Ain |
10 | MF | Lee Jae-sung | 10 August 1992 | 94 | 13 | Mainz 05 |
11 | MF | Jeong Woo-yeong | 20 September 1999 | 22 | 4 | Union Berlin |
16 | MF | Hong Hyun-seok | 16 June 1999 | 14 | 0 | Mainz 05 |
17 | MF | Bae Jun-ho | 21 August 2003 | 6 | 2 | Stoke City |
18 | MF | Lee Kang-in | 19 February 2001 | 35 | 10 | Paris Saint-Germain |
MF | Lee Hyun-ju | 7 February 2003 | 1 | 0 | Hannover 96 | |
MF | Kim Bong-soo | 26 December 1999 | 0 | 0 | Gimcheon Sangmu | |
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9 | FW | Joo Min-kyu | 13 April 1990 | 8 | 2 | Ulsan HD |
19 | FW | Oh Se-hun | 15 January 1999 | 6 | 2 | Machida Zelvia |
23 | FW | Oh Hyeon-gyu | 12 April 2001 | 15 | 2 | Genk |
Recent call-ups
The following players have also been called up to the South Korea squad within the last twelve months.
Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club | Latest call-up |
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GK | Kim Seung-gyu | 30 September 1990 | 81 | 0 | Al-Shabab | v. Iraq, 15 October 2024 |
GK | Kim Jun-hong | 3 June 2003 | 0 | 0 | Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors | v. Iraq, 15 October 2024 |
GK | Song Bum-keun | 15 October 1997 | 1 | 0 | Shonan Bellmare | v. Oman, 10 September 2024 |
GK | Hwang In-jae | 22 April 1994 | 0 | 0 | Pohang Steelers | v. China, 11 June 2024 |
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DF | Hwang Mun-ki | 8 December 1996 | 2 | 0 | Gangwon FC | v. Kuwait, 14 November 2024 INJ |
DF | Kim Ju-sung | 12 December 2000 | 2 | 0 | FC Seoul | v. Iraq, 15 October 2024 |
DF | Lee Han-beom | 17 June 2002 | 0 | 0 | Midtjylland | v. Iraq, 15 October 2024 |
DF | Park Min-gyu | 10 August 1995 | 0 | 0 | Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo | v. Iraq, 15 October 2024 |
DF | Kim Young-gwon | 27 February 1990 | 112 | 7 | Ulsan HD | v. Oman, 10 September 2024 |
DF | Hwang Jae-won | 16 August 2002 | 3 | 0 | Daegu FC | v. Oman, 10 September 2024 |
DF | Choi Woo-jin | 18 July 2004 | 0 | 0 | Incheon United | v. Oman, 10 September 2024 |
DF | Kim Jin-su | 13 June 1992 | 74 | 2 | Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors | v. China, 11 June 2024 |
DF | Park Seung-wook | 7 May 1997 | 2 | 0 | Gimcheon Sangmu | v. China, 11 June 2024 |
DF | Choi Jun | 17 April 1999 | 0 | 0 | FC Seoul | v. China, 11 June 2024 |
DF | Ha Chang-rae | 16 October 1994 | 0 | 0 | Nagoya Grampus | v. China, 11 June 2024 |
DF | Kim Tae-hwan | 24 July 1989 | 31 | 0 | Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors | 2023 AFC Asian Cup |
DF | Lee Ki-je | 9 July 1991 | 14 | 0 | Suwon Samsung Bluewings | 2023 AFC Asian Cup |
DF | Kim Ji-soo | 24 December 2004 | 0 | 0 | Brentford | 2023 AFC Asian Cup |
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MF | Moon Seon-min | 9 June 1992 | 17 | 2 | Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors | v. Iraq, 15 October 2024 |
MF | Lee Seung-woo | 6 January 1998 | 12 | 0 | Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors | v. Iraq, 15 October 2024 |
MF | Lee Dong-gyeong | 20 September 1997 | 9 | 1 | Gimcheon Sangmu | v. Iraq, 15 October 2024 |
MF | Kwon Hyeok-kyu | 13 March 2001 | 0 | 0 | Hibernian | v. Iraq, 15 October 2024 |
MF | Hwang Hee-chan | 26 January 1996 | 69 | 15 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | v. Jordan, 10 October 2024 INJ |
MF | Eom Ji-sung | 9 May 2002 | 3 | 1 | Swansea City | v. Jordan, 10 October 2024 INJ |
MF | Jung Woo-young | 14 December 1989 | 76 | 3 | Ulsan HD | v. Oman, 10 September 2024 |
MF | Jeong Ho-yeon | 28 September 2000 | 1 | 0 | Gwangju FC | v. Oman, 10 September 2024 |
MF | Yang Min-hyeok | 16 April 2006 | 0 | 0 | Gangwon FC | v. Oman, 10 September 2024 |
MF | Um Won-sang | 6 January 1999 | 8 | 0 | Ulsan HD | v. China, 11 June 2024 |
MF | Song Min-kyu | 12 September 1999 | 14 | 1 | Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors | v. Thailand, 26 March 2024 |
MF | Park Jin-seop | 23 October 1995 | 6 | 1 | Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors | v. Thailand, 26 March 2024 |
MF | Lee Soon-min | 22 May 1994 | 4 | 0 | Daejeon Hana Citizen | 2023 AFC Asian Cup |
MF | Yang Hyun-jun | 25 May 2002 | 3 | 0 | Celtic | 2023 AFC Asian Cup |
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FW | Cho Gue-sung | 25 January 1998 | 39 | 9 | Midtjylland | v. Thailand, 26 March 2024 |
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Notable former players
The following players were inducted into the KFA Hall of Fame, or were selected for the Korean Best XI of All Time in one or more surveys.
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Goalkeepers
- Hong Deok-young (1948–1954)
- Lee Se-yeon (1966–1973)
- Lee Woon-jae (1994–2010)
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Defenders
- Kim Jung-nam (1964–1973)
- Kim Ho (1966–1972)
- Hong Myung-bo (1990–2002)
- Lee Young-pyo (1999–2011)
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Midfielders
- Kim Yong-sik (1948–1950)
- Huh Jung-moo (1974–1986)
- Lee Young-moo (1975–1981)
- Cho Kwang-rae (1977–1986)
- Park Chang-sun (1979–1986)
- Park Ji-sung (2000–2011)
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Forwards
- Lee Hoe-taik (1966–1977)
- Cha Bum-kun (1972–1986)
- Choi Soon-ho (1980–1991)
- Kim Joo-sung (1985–1996)
Individual records
Players in bold are still active with South Korea.
Most appearances
Rank | Player | Caps | Goals | Career |
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1 | Cha Bum-kun | 136 | 58 | 1972–1986 |
Hong Myung-bo | 136 | 10 | 1990–2002 | |
3 | Lee Woon-jae | 133 | 0 | 1994–2010 |
4 | Son Heung-min | 131 | 51 | 2010–present |
5 | Lee Young-pyo | 127 | 5 | 1999–2011 |
6 | Kim Ho-kon | 124 | 5 | 1971–1979 |
7 | Yoo Sang-chul | 122 | 18 | 1994–2005 |
8 | Cho Young-jeung | 113 | 1 | 1975–1986 |
9 | Kim Young-gwon | 112 | 7 | 2010–present |
10 | Ki Sung-yueng | 110 | 10 | 2008–2019 |
Top goalscorers
Rank | Player | Goals | Caps | Ratio | Career |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Cha Bum-kun | 58 | 136 | 0.43 | 1972–1986 |
2 | Son Heung-min | 51 | 131 | 0.39 | 2010–present |
3 | Hwang Sun-hong | 50 | 103 | 0.49 | 1988–2002 |
4 | Park Lee-chun | 36 | 89 | 0.4 | 1969–1974 |
5 | Kim Jae-han | 33 | 57 | 0.58 | 1972–1979 |
Lee Dong-gook | 33 | 105 | 0.31 | 1998–2017 | |
7 | Choi Soon-ho | 30 | 103 | 0.29 | 1980–1991 |
8 | Kim Do-hoon | 29 | 72 | 0.4 | 1994–2003 |
Huh Jung-moo | 29 | 84 | 0.35 | 1974–1986 | |
10 | Choi Yong-soo | 27 | 67 | 0.4 | 1995–2003 |
Lee Tae-ho | 27 | 72 | 0.38 | 1980–1991 | |
Kim Jin-kook | 27 | 94 | 0.29 | 1972–1978 |
Competitive record
Champions Runners-up Third place Tournament played on home soil
FIFA World Cup
South Korea at the FIFA World Cup
Summer Olympics
- Football at the Summer Olympics has been an under-23 tournament since 1992.
Summer Olympics record | Qualification record | ||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Round | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | Squad | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | |
1900 to 1908 | Part of the Korean Empire | Part of the Korean Empire | |||||||||||||
1912 to 1936 | Part of Japan | Part of Japan | |||||||||||||
1948 | Quarter-finals | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 15 | Squad | Directly qualified | ||||||
1952 | Did not enter | Did not enter | |||||||||||||
1956 | Did not qualify | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | ||||||||
1960 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 4 | |||||||||
1964 | Group stage | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 20 | Squad | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 4 | |
1968 | Did not qualify | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 17 | 5 | ||||||||
1972 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 16 | 2 | |||||||||
1976 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 10 | 5 | |||||||||
1980 | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 16 | 6 | |||||||||
1984 | 11 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 19 | 11 | |||||||||
1988 | Group stage | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | Squad | Qualified as hosts | ||||||
1992 to present | Entered with the under-23 team | Entered with the under-23 team | |||||||||||||
Total | Quarter-finals | 8 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 7 | 37 | 3/11 | 42 | 24 | 7 | 11 | 91 | 39 |
AFC Asian Cup
South Korea at the AFC Asian Cup
Asian Games
- Football at the Asian Games has been an under-23 tournament since 2002.
EAFF Championship
Other competitions
Head-to-head record
The following table shows South Korea's head-to-head record, correct as of 19 November 2024.
Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | WPCT |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Afghanistan | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 2 | +6 | 100.00 |
Algeria | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 4 | +0 | 50.00 |
Angola | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | +1 | 100.00 |
Argentina | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 8 | −6 | 0.00 |
Australia (list) | 29 | 9 | 11 | 9 | 30 | 29 | +1 | 31.03 |
Bahrain | 17 | 12 | 4 | 1 | 40 | 12 | +28 | 70.59 |
Bangladesh | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 0 | +13 | 100.00 |
Belarus | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | −1 | 0.00 |
Belgium | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 6 | −4 | 0.00 |
Bolivia | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | +1 | 33.33 |
Bosnia and Herzegovina | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 3 | +0 | 50.00 |
Brazil | 8 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 6 | 20 | −14 | 12.50 |
Brunei | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | +3 | 100.00 |
Bulgaria | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | −1 | 0.00 |
Burkina Faso | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | +1 | 100.00 |
Cambodia | 7 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 22 | 4 | +18 | 85.71 |
Cameroon | 5 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 10 | 3 | +7 | 60.00 |
Canada | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 4 | +1 | 40.00 |
Chile | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | +1 | 33.33 |
China (list) | 38 | 23 | 13 | 2 | 56 | 26 | +30 | 60.53 |
Chinese Taipei | 21 | 14 | 1 | 6 | 50 | 19 | +31 | 66.67 |
Colombia | 8 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 14 | 9 | +5 | 50.00 |
Costa Rica | 10 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 13 | 12 | +1 | 40.00 |
Croatia | 7 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 7 | 11 | −4 | 28.57 |
Cuba | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | +0 | 0.00 |
Czech Republic | 5 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 14 | −9 | 20.00 |
Denmark | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | −2 | 0.00 |
Ecuador | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 2 | +1 | 50.00 |
Egypt | 18 | 6 | 7 | 5 | 18 | 21 | −3 | 33.33 |
El Salvador | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | +0 | 0.00 |
England | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | +0 | 0.00 |
Finland | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | +5 | 100.00 |
France | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 9 | −6 | 0.00 |
Georgia | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | +0 | 0.00 |
Germany | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 5 | +2 | 50.00 |
Ghana | 7 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 10 | 14 | −4 | 42.86 |
Greece | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 1 | +5 | 75.00 |
Guam | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 0 | +9 | 100.00 |
Guatemala | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 3 | +1 | 33.33 |
Haiti | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | +3 | 100.00 |
Honduras | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 0 | +9 | 100.00 |
Hong Kong | 29 | 22 | 5 | 2 | 69 | 21 | +48 | 75.86 |
Hungary | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 10 | −10 | 0.00 |
Iceland | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 1 | +5 | 100.00 |
India | 19 | 14 | 2 | 3 | 48 | 12 | +36 | 73.68 |
Indonesia | 36 | 30 | 4 | 2 | 84 | 19 | +65 | 83.33 |
Iran | 33 | 10 | 10 | 13 | 36 | 34 | +2 | 30.30 |
Iraq | 24 | 10 | 12 | 2 | 30 | 16 | +14 | 41.67 |
Israel | 11 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 17 | 12 | +5 | 45.45 |
Italy | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 4 | +0 | 50.00 |
Ivory Coast | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | +2 | 100.00 |
Jamaica | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 7 | 3 | +4 | 50.00 |
Japan (list) | 81 | 42 | 23 | 16 | 124 | 76 | +48 | 51.85 |
Jordan | 8 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 9 | 6 | +3 | 50.00 |
Kazakhstan | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 1 | +3 | 50.00 |
Kuwait | 25 | 13 | 4 | 8 | 33 | 21 | +12 | 52.00 |
Kyrgyzstan | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | +1 | 100.00 |
Laos | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 28 | 0 | +28 | 100.00 |
Latvia | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | +2 | 100.00 |
Lebanon | 16 | 12 | 3 | 1 | 28 | 5 | +23 | 75.00 |
Libya | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | +4 | 100.00 |
Macau | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 2 | +9 | 100.00 |
Malaysia | 47 | 26 | 13 | 8 | 81 | 45 | +36 | 55.32 |
Maldives | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | +2 | 50.00 |
Mali | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | +2 | 100.00 |
Malta | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 2 | +1 | 50.00 |
Mexico | 14 | 4 | 2 | 8 | 18 | 29 | −11 | 28.57 |
Moldova | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | +5 | 100.00 |
Mongolia | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | +6 | 100.00 |
Morocco | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 5 | −2 | 0.00 |
Myanmar | 27 | 15 | 7 | 5 | 42 | 15 | +27 | 55.56 |
Nepal | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 53 | 0 | +53 | 100.00 |
Netherlands | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 7 | −7 | 0.00 |
New Zealand | 7 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 10 | 1 | +9 | 85.71 |
Nigeria | 5 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 9 | 6 | +3 | 60.00 |
North Korea (list) | 17 | 7 | 9 | 1 | 14 | 6 | +8 | 41.18 |
Macedonia | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 3 | +1 | 50.00 |
Northern Ireland | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | −1 | 0.00 |
Norway | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 6 | −1 | 25.00 |
Oman | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 13 | 5 | +8 | 83.33 |
Pakistan | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 0 | +13 | 100.00 |
[[Palestinian National Authority {{{altlink}}}|Palestinian National Authority]] | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | +0 | 0.00 |
Panama | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | +0 | 0.00 |
Paraguay | 7 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 8 | 7 | +1 | 28.57 |
Peru | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 5 | −5 | 0.00 |
Philippines | 8 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 37 | 0 | +37 | 100.00 |
Poland | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 3 | +1 | 50.00 |
Portugal | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | +2 | 100.00 |
Qatar | 11 | 6 | 2 | 3 | 19 | 13 | +6 | 54.55 |
Romania | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | −1 | 0.00 |
Russia | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 7 | −3 | 0.00 |
Saudi Arabia | 19 | 5 | 9 | 5 | 20 | 18 | +2 | 26.32 |
Scotland | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | +3 | 100.00 |
Senegal | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | −1 | 25.00 |
Serbia | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 | +0 | 33.33 |
Serbia and Montenegro | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | +2 | 100.00 |
Singapore | 28 | 23 | 3 | 2 | 97 | 19 | +78 | 82.14 |
Slovakia | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | +0 | 0.00 |
South Yemen | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | +3 | 100.00 |
Spain | 6 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 16 | −11 | 0.00 |
Sri Lanka | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 19 | 0 | +19 | 100.00 |
Sudan | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 | +8 | 100.00 |
Sweden | 5 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 18 | −15 | 0.00 |
Switzerland | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | −1 | 50.00 |
Syria | 10 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 12 | 5 | +7 | 60.00 |
Tajikistan | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | +3 | 100.00 |
Thailand | 47 | 31 | 8 | 8 | 96 | 37 | +59 | 65.96 |
Togo | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | +1 | 100.00 |
Trinidad and Tobago | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | +0 | 0.00 |
Tunisia | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 1 | +3 | 33.33 |
Turkey | 7 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 13 | −9 | 14.29 |
Turkmenistan | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 16 | 4 | +12 | 80.00 |
Ukraine | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | +3 | 100.00 |
United Arab Emirates | 21 | 13 | 5 | 3 | 38 | 14 | +24 | 61.90 |
United States | 11 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 10 | 8 | +2 | 45.45 |
Uruguay | 10 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 7 | 15 | −8 | 10.00 |
Uzbekistan | 16 | 11 | 4 | 1 | 34 | 14 | +20 | 68.75 |
Venezuela | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | +2 | 100.00 |
Vietnam | 25 | 17 | 6 | 2 | 66 | 21 | +45 | 68.00 |
Wales | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | +0 | 0.00 |
Yemen | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | +6 | 100.00 |
Yugoslavia | 7 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 13 | −9 | 0.00 |
Zambia | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 10 | 8 | +2 | 50.00 |
Total | 988 | 534 | 243 | 211 | 1,782 | 909 | +873 | 54.05 |
Honours
Intercontinental
- Afro-Asian Cup of Nations
Continental
- Asian Games
Regional
- EAFF Championship
Minor competitions
- Korea Cup: 1971, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1978, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1985, 1987, 1991, 1997
- Merdeka Tournament: 1960, 1965, 1967, 1970, 1972, 1975, 1977, 1978
- King's Cup: 1969, 1970, 1971, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1998
- Jakarta Anniversary Tournament: 1981
- Dynasty Cup: 1990
- LG Cup: 2000 (Iran), 2001 (Egypt), 2006 (Saudi Arabia)
Other awards
- FIFA World Cup Most Entertaining Team: 2002
- AFC National Team of the Year: 2002, 2009
- EAFF Championship Fair Play Award: 2008
- AFC Asian Cup Fair Play Award: 2011
See also
In Spanish: Selección de fútbol de Corea del Sur para niños
- Football in South Korea
- South Korea national under-20 football team
- South Korea national under-17 football team