"Korean Football Faces Iraq in 2026 World Cup Qualifiers: Bae Jun-ho Steps Up Amid Injuries to Stars"

Challenge for 3 consecutive wins in the 3rd round kick off today at home
Iraq, ‘salty defense’ that did not give a single goal
Next-generation star ‘Bae Jun-ho, 21-year-old’, is expected to be selected to fill the left spot with the injuries of Son Heung-min and Hwang Hee-chan.
Bae “If I play with Kangin, there will be collaboration”

Korean football will challenge Iraq for their third consecutive victory in the 3rd qualifying round of the 2026 World Cup in North Asia and Central America against Iraq at the Mir Stadium in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province on the 15th. In Group B of the 3rd preliminary round, Korea is first and Iraq is second from 14th. After a draw in the first home match against Palestine, Korea beat Oman and Jordan in succession and recorded two consecutive wins in away games. With 2 wins and 1 draw, Korea is ahead of Iraq (7 points, goal difference +2) with 7 points (goal difference +4). If Korea beats Iraq, the point gap will widen to 3, setting the stage for dominance. In the third preliminary round, 18 countries will be divided into three groups of six teams each and will play ‘full league home and away’ matches. The first and second place in each group go directly to the World Cup finals. At a press conference on the 14th, the day before the match against Iraq, the coach Hong Myung-bo of the national football team said, “After the match against Jordan, the team gained confidence,” and said e, “Because Iraq competes for. the lead, we have to win somehow.”

Korea has the upper hand in their international match record against Iraq with 9 wins, 12 draws and 2 losses. However, Iraq, who participated in the third preliminary round, is not an opponent to be taken lightly. Iraq is the only team in Group B that did not concede a single goal in three games played among the six teams. In order for Korea to break through the ‘salty defense’ of Iraq, it must shake the opponent from the left and right.

With Son Heung-min (Tottenham), Hwang Hee-chan (Wolverhampton), and Uhm Uhm-seong (Swansea City) leaving due to injuries, it is possible that Bae Jun-ho (Stoke City), the most youth of the team. national team at the age of 21, starting in the left wing forward position. Bae Jun-ho has played in three A games, recording one goal and one assist. Bae Jun-ho, who still has no starting experience in international games, has played only 72 minutes in total (including extra time) in three games. However, when substituted in the second half, he plays a vital role with his smooth dribbling. Bae Jun-ho played 47 minutes in the game against Jordan on the 10th (2-0, Korea won) and recorded his first assist in the international game. According to football statistics site ‘Foot Mob’, Bae Jun-ho’s passing and dribbling success rates were 100% in the game against Jordan.

Bae Jun-ho Bae Jun-ho attracted attention as a next-generation star after leading Korea to the semi-finals with one goal and three assists at last year’s FIFA Under-20 World Cup. Bae Jun-ho left Daejeon in professional football K-League 1 last August and moved to Stoke City in the English Championship (second division). Bae Jun-ho was named ‘Player of the Season’ by Stoke City after scoring 2 goals and 5 assists in 38 league games in the 2023-2024 season. Coach Hong said, “My role is to dress Bae Jun-ho, who is growing up very quickly, in clothes that are suitable for him (his role in the team).

Lee Kang-in and Bae Jun-ho said he was looking forward to playing with right-handed striker Lee Kang-in (Paris Saint-Germain), who is two years older than him. Bae Jun-ho’s strength is penetrating quickly, while Lee Kang-in’s strength is passing creatively. Bae Jun-ho said, “I learn a lot from watching Kangin. “I think there will be synergy if we play together,” he said. Lee Kang-in, who scored 10 goals in 32 A games, is expected to lead the attack between the right and the center in the match against Iraq. Lee Kang-in has the second highest international goals among national team players, after Lee Jae-seong (12 goals in 91 international games). In the game against Jordan, Lee Kang-in was heavily marked by two or three opposing defenders, so instead of making too much progress, he attacked through link play with his teammates. Coach Hong, who instructed Lee Kang-in to play punctually at the time, said, “Lee Kang-in must find a way to play better when the defense is targeting him.”