Seoul: Five days after securing their place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, South Korean players were warmly welcomed by fans at the Seoul World Cup Stadium following a resounding 4-0 victory over Kuwait.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the Taegeuk Warriors had already confirmed their World Cup spot with a 2-0 win against Iraq last Thursday. The match in Iraq was played under challenging conditions, with 56,000 local fans present in Basra, and no South Korean supporters due to a government travel ban. The team returned home swiftly after the match, arriving about 13 hours later.
The match against Kuwait was an opportunity for South Korean fans to celebrate with their team. The Korea Football Association organized the event as a celebration from start to finish, with fans participating actively by holding up national flags and singing cheer songs. The official supporters' group, the Red Devils, led the prematch excitement.
A card stunt in the 11th minute displayed "We Daehan," marking South Korea's 11th consecutive World Cup qualification. The match concluded with a performance by synth-pop group Glen Check, as players acknowledged the fans.
However, not all feedback was positive, as head coach Hong Myung-bo faced jeers from the crowd. His appointment had been controversial, and while initial skepticism was reduced after a series of wins, fans expressed dissatisfaction with the team's delayed qualification earlier in the year.
The attendance of 41,911 was notably lower than previous matches, with the stadium capable of holding around 64,000. The Korea Football Association reported a significant drop compared to the last match against Palestine, which had a larger turnout.