World Cup 26: Asia stays unbeaten, Africa makes early mark SEOUL, June 15 (AJP) - The opening week of the 2026 FIFA World Cup has delivered an early message: the gap between traditional soccer powers and emerging nations is narrowing. Teams from the Asia-Pacific region remain unbeaten, while several African sides have shown they can challenge higher-ranked opponents, suggesting the tournament may no longer be dominated exclusively by Europe and South America. Japan produced the biggest statement so far, fighting back twice to secure a 2- June 15, 2026

World Cup 26: Veterans steady, newcomers shine in Korea's first win SEOUL, June 12 (AJP) — South Korea's 2-1 comeback victory over Czechia in its opening Group A match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup was not the work of a single star. It was a victory built on balance — experienced leaders delivering in decisive moments while a new generation showed it was ready for football's biggest stage. Head coach Hong Myung-bo's side fell behind in the 58th minute when Ladislav Krejci powered home a header, but recovered through Hwang In- June 12, 2026

World Cup '26: Not your typical TGIF if Team Korea kicks off and wins SEOUL, June 12 (AJP) - Few Friday lunch breaks could have been better. A long midday pause filled with live music, sunshine, a cool breeze, stress relief, shouting, groaning, jumping, dancing and, for some, a can of beer. For 90 minutes, South Koreans traded spreadsheets, classrooms and office meetings for something less tangible but equally important — a shared dose of pride, hope and celebration. Some took the entire day off. Others used half-day leave. Man June 12, 2026

World Cup 26: Korea faces first real test against Mexico SEOUL, June 12 (AJP) - South Korea's opening victory over Czechia brought relief, belief and three valuable points. It also brought a reality check. The 2-1 comeback in Guadalajara showed Hong Myung-bo's side possesses the resilience and attacking quality to survive difficult moments. The next match against Mexico will reveal whether it can thrive against a team many expect to challenge for top spot in Group A. Both nations opened their World Cup campaigns with victori June 12, 2026

World Cup 26: Korea rallies past Czechia in World Cup opener SEOUL, June 12 (AJP) - South Korea came from behind to defeat the Czechia 2-1 in its opening Group A match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Thursday, taking a major step toward the knockout stage after a spirited second-half comeback in Guadalajara, Mexico. Hong Myung-bo's side fell behind in the 58th minute when Czech defender Ladislav Krejci powered home a header from a set piece. But South Korea responded quickly as midfielder Hwang In-beom equalized nine minutes later before s June 12, 2026

World Cup 26: Korea, Czech Republic goalless at halftime in World Cup opener SEOUL, June 12 (AJP) - South Korea went into halftime locked at 0-0 with the Czech Republic on Thursday in its opening Group A match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Korea made a brighter start than it had in recent warm-up matches, but could not turn its early pressure into a goal against a physically strong Czech side at Guadalajara Stadium in Mexico. Son Heung-min started up front, with Lee Kang-in and Lee Jae-sung playing just behind him. Hwang In-beom and Paik Seung-ho anchore June 12, 2026

World Cup 26: Mexico beats South Africa in opener SEOUL, June 12 (AJP) - SEOUL, June 12 (AJP) — The 2026 FIFA World Cup opened in Mexico City on Thursday with a lavish ceremony blending Mexican cultural imagery, global pop performances and the increasingly commercial face of the expanded 48-team tournament. Shakira and Burna Boy performed “Dai Dai,” the official song of the tournament, while the broader opening lineup included J Balvin, Maná, Los Ángeles Azules, Alejandro Fernández, Be June 12, 2026

South Korea set to face Czechia in must-win World Cup opener SEOUL, June 11 (AJP) - This year's FIFA World Cup kicked off its month-long football extravaganza on Thursday, launching the largest tournament in the sport's history. Featuring 48 teams in 104 matches hosted by three countries of Canada, Mexico, and the U.S., the quadrennial event will be staged in North America until July 19, when the final match will decide the winner. What makes it starkly different from previous World Cups is that it features three separate opening c June 11, 2026

South Korea as slight favorite over Czech Republic in World Cup group stage: Opta SEOUL, June 10 (AJP) - South Korea is viewed as a slight favorite over the Czech Republic in their first group-stage match on Friday (in Korean time) at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, according to a revised forecast by football statistics firm Opta. Opta said Wednesday that its supercomputer gave South Korea a 42.9 percent chance of beating the Czech Republic in the Group A match. The Czech Republic's chance of victory was estimated at 31.1 percent, while the probability of a draw st June 10, 2026

The wildcard in Team Taegeuk Warriors  SEOUL, May 29 (AJP) - When Hong Myung-bo named his squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup last month, most of the coverage landed in the same place: Son Heung-min, captain, icon, almost certainly making his fourth and final appearance at the tournament. The farewell tour angle wrote itself. But scroll past the familiar names — Son, Lee Kang-in, Kim Min-jae, Hwang Hee-chan — and one entry reads differently. Bae Jun-ho, 22, Stoke City, attacker. Not a household name. Not y May 29, 2026