Korea Republic
Manager: Myung-Bo Hong
South Korea have qualified for 11 World Cups in succession and made it through to the last 16 in Qatar four years ago, but progress looks tougher this time due to limited squad depth. Son Heung-Min, Lee Kang-In and Kim Min-Jae provide quality, but options beyond that trio, particularly in defence, are worryingly thin. Qualification was not convincing, with Hong Myung-Bo's side drawing four of ten matches, against Palestine twice, Oman and Jordan. Recent defeats, most notably 4-0 to Ivory Coast and 1-0 against Austria, have added to doubts about their prospects in North America. Their opener against the Czech Republic looks pivotal and failure to win would leave them under pressure before facing co-hosts Mexico. Third place may be their best hope, but even that may not be enough.