Pre-World Cup 2026 friendlies: South Korea-Côte d'Ivory Coast, likely lineups
The march toward an 11th consecutive appearance in the World Cup finals starts in England for South Korea. The “Taegeuk Warriors” inaugurate their own 2026 by facing Ivory Coast, fresh from the quarterfinals in the last African Cup of Nations, in an intercontinental confrontation that promises valuable indications for both technical commissioners.
The Asian selection arrives at this appointment on the wings of enthusiasm, having archived 2025 with a series of prestigious clean sheets against Paraguay, Bolivia and Ghana. The qualification, already secured months ago thanks to the success over Iraq, certified the team’s metamorphosis under Hong Myung-bo’s management. Since his return to the bench in July 2024, the coach has turned Korea into a nearly unbeatable machine: 12 wins in 19 matches and an external unbeaten streak that has lasted nine games. Numbers that definitely erase the shadows of his first stint at the helm of the national team between 2013 and 2014, marking a marked change of pace in terms of solidity and results. For today’s match, Song will defend the posts, Cho and Kim will be the central players, star Son and Lee will act on the flanks in support of forward Oh.
For the “Elephants,” the Milton Keynes challenge represents an opportunity to work off the bitterness related to the recent elimination from the African Cup of Nations at the hands of Egypt. Despite the January knockout, the team of Emerse Faé, the miracle man in the 2023 continental review, boasts a respectable external performance, with four wins in the last five away matches. Ivory Coast’s Achilles’ heel in recent years, however, seems to be its challenges against Asian national teams, with two defeats suffered in the last three previous fixtures. On Saturday afternoon, Faé’s boys will have the task of reversing this trend and regaining the offensive brilliance that has characterized their recent run. The coach will line up: Fofana in goal behind the pair formed by Kossounou (Atalanta) and Ndicka (Roma), former Milan Kessié, Sangaré and Oulai in the midfield, Diallo-Guessand-Adingra the offensive trident. The big absentee for the match is Yan Diomandé due to a shoulder problem; Nicolas Pepé returns to the squad.
Probable lineups
South Korea (4-2-3-1): Song; Seol, Cho, Kim, Lee; Park, Kwon; Lee, Castrop, Son; Oh. C.T. Hong Myung-bo.
Ivory Coast (4-3-3): Fofana; Doué, Kossounou, Ndicka, Konan; Kessié, Sangaré, Oulaï; Diallo, Guessand, Adingra. C.T. Emerse Faé
