KBS commentator Lee Young-pyo, known for his uncanny accuracy in predictions, has made a bold forecast for South Korea’s 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign. Appearing on KBS’s “9 O’Clock News,” Lee confidently stated that the national team will qualify for the Round of 32 with a record of one win and two draws in the group stage. He specifically predicted a victory over the Czech Republic in the opening match, followed by draws against Mexico and South Africa — a result that would see South Korea finish second in the group.
Lee previously stunned audiences during the 2014 Brazil World Cup when he correctly predicted “the fall of Spain.” This time, he offered a more cautious yet optimistic outlook, adding a sharp tactical analysis of the crucial match against the Czech Republic. “Our opponents have five players over 190 cm tall. We must organize our set-piece defense carefully,” he warned.
As for the first goal of the tournament, Lee singled out Oh Hyun-gyu as the most likely scorer. “He has shown sharp finishing, intelligent positioning, and strong shooting ability — he’s the player to watch,” Lee praised.
South Korea, led by head coach Hong Myung-bo, will begin their World Cup journey on June 12 at 11:00 AM (KST) against the Czech Republic, followed by Mexico on June 19 at 10:00 AM and South Africa on June 25 at 10:00 AM. The 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, will run from June 11 to July 19.