Korea Off to Good Start in World Cup Qualifiers with Win over Singapore

Korea got off to a good start in the second round of Asian qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the U.S., thrashing Singapore 5-0 in Seoul on Thursday.

It was Korea's first official match under new head coach Jürgen Klinsmann, who began his tenure by leading the national team to three wins, three draws and two losses in eight friendlies after taking the helm in March.

Korea struggled to overcome the opponent's defenses at first, but the team's Europe-based players soon stepped up, as Lee Kang-in of Paris Saint-Germain continued to create chances with incisive penetrative passes, and Cho Gue-sung of FC Midtjylland, Hwang Hee-chan of Wolverhampton Wanderers, Son Heung-min of Tottenham Hotspur, Hwang Ui-jo of Norwich City and Lee scored goals one after another.

Korea, which is aiming for its 11th consecutive World Cup appearance, is grouped with China, Singapore and Thailand. The second round will take place through June next year, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the final qualifying round.

Korea will face China in an away match on Nov. 21.