Zapopan: South Korea will not secure the top position in Group A of the ongoing FIFA World Cup following a 1-0 loss to co-host Mexico on Thursday. However, with one group match remaining, there are still several pathways for the Taegeuk Warriors to advance to the knockout round.
According to Yonhap News Agency, a victory against Mexico at Estadio Guadalajara in Zapopan would have secured South Korea the top spot in their group and made them the first team at this year's tournament to qualify for the knockouts. Yet, Mexico thwarted those plans as Luis Romo took advantage of a South Korean error in the 50th minute, securing a win that brought Mexico to six points.
South Korea, who commenced the tournament with a 2-1 victory over Czechia last week, currently holds second place with three points. Czechia managed to draw 1-1 against South Africa, earning them their first point, while South Africa also has one point but trails Czechia on goal difference.
The initial tiebreaker used in these scenarios is the head-to-head record between tied teams, followed by goal difference. If South Korea defeats South Africa and Mexico loses to Czechia in their final matches, both South Korea and Mexico will conclude with six points. However, Mexico will hold the tiebreaker advantage due to their win on Thursday, resulting in South Korea securing second place, which guarantees automatic progression to the knockouts.
In the expanded tournament format featuring 48 nations, the top two teams from each of the 12 groups will advance to the knockouts, along with the eight best third-place teams.
Should South Korea draw against South Africa, they will still finish as the runner-up in Group A with four points. Czechia could match this point total by upsetting Mexico, but South Korea will maintain the tiebreak advantage following their win against Czechia last week.
Even if South Korea loses to South Africa, they can still qualify for the knockouts as a third-ranked team. A loss for South Korea, coupled with a Mexico win or draw, will place South Korea in third with three points.
In a worst-case scenario for the Taegeuk Warriors, they will be eliminated as the last-ranked team in Group A if they lose to South Africa and Czechia defeats Mexico next week.
If South Korea secures the runner-up position in Group A, they will face the runner-up from Group B in the round of 32. Currently, Canada leads Group B, followed by Switzerland, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Qatar.
Should South Korea qualify as the No. 3 seed from Group B, they will face either the Group E or Group G winner. Germany is expected to win Group E, while Group G remains competitive with Belgium, Egypt, Iran, and New Zealand all tied with one point after their initial matches.
Ranked 25th in the last official FIFA rankings before the World Cup, South Korea is anticipated to be the favorite against 60th-ranked South Africa. The African team will be at a disadvantage with the absence of midfielder Teboho Mokoena, who is ineligible after receiving a second yellow card in two matches. Additionally, midfielder Themba Zwane received a three-match ban from FIFA following his ejection during the 2-0 defeat to Mexico last week.