First Touch ’26 - South Korea

South Korea doesn’t just show up at World Cups. They live there. In this World Cup Capsule, David Gass looks at the Taeguk Warriors’ 11th straight appearance on the world stage and what could be the last dance for beloved superstar Son Heung-min. We relive the fairy-tale of 2002: co-hosting with Japan, Guus Hiddink’s revolutionary methods, a golden run through Italy and Spain, and the explosion of the Red Devils fan culture that helped launch the Korean Wave worldwide. From the Royal Navy’s first kickabouts in the 1880s to the modern K League’s record attendances, we chart how football became part of South Korea’s national story. Then we break down a turbulent recent era—Jurgen Klinsmann’s short, chaotic tenure, an Asian Cup meltdown, and the return of legend Hong Myung-bo—plus a stacked core featuring Kim Min-jae, Lee Kang-in, Hwang Hee-chan, and teenage star-in-waiting Yang Min-Hyeok. It’s a deep dive into a team stuck between group-stage frustration and quarterfinal ambition, trying to write one more magical chapter for Sonny.