South Korea is on the verge of being the first team to advance to the knockout round of the 2026 World Cup.
The second round of games in group play are in full swing, and the winner of Group A can already be determined Thursday, June 18. South Korea got its tournament off to a great start in a thrilling comeback win against Czechia. The three points were huge, and it set up a great opportunity for when it plays Mexico at Guadalajara Stadium — South Korea can win the group and clinch its spot in the knockout rounds for the second consecutive World Cup.
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Here is what South Korea needs to advance to the World Cup knockout round:
Photos reveal unforgettable World Cup action and emotion
US forward #20 Folarin Balogun (C) celebrates with teammates after scoring his team’s third goal during the 2026 World Cup Group D football match between USA and Paraguay at the Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood on June 12, 2026.
(PATRICK T. FALLON, AFP via Getty Images)
Photos reveal unforgettable World Cup action and emotion
US forward #20 Folarin Balogun (C) celebrates with teammates after scoring his team’s third goal during the 2026 World Cup Group D football match between USA and Paraguay at the Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood on June 12, 2026.
(PATRICK T. FALLON, AFP via Getty Images)
Photos reveal unforgettable World Cup action and emotion
Folarin Balogun #20 of the United States scores his team’s third goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D match between USA and Paraguay at Los Angeles Stadium on June 12, 2026 in Los Angeles.
(Richard Heathcote, Getty Images)
Photos reveal unforgettable World Cup action and emotion
Cesar Samudio #12 of Panama fails to save a shot from Giovanni Reyna #7 of the United States as he scores his team’s fourth goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D match between USA and Paraguay at Los Angeles Stadium on June 12, 2026 in Los Angeles.
(Jamie Squire, Getty Images)
Photos reveal unforgettable World Cup action and emotion
US midfielder #07 Giovanni Reyna (R) scores his team’s fourth goal during the 2026 World Cup Group D football match between USA and Paraguay at the Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood on June 12, 2026.
(VALERIE MACON, AFP via Getty Images)
Photos reveal unforgettable World Cup action and emotion
US players celebrate the fourth goal by midfielder #07 Giovanni Reyna during the 2026 World Cup Group D football match between USA and Paraguay at the Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood on June 12, 2026.
(VALERIE MACON, AFP via Getty Images)
South Korea advance scenarios
It all started with the first match of the day on Thursday between South Africa vs. Czechia. South Korea needed Czechia to win or draw, and it got one of the results when it ended in a 1-1 tie.
Now, all South Korea needs to do is beat Mexico. If South Korea wins, it will win Group A, advance to the knockout round and play in the round of 32 in Mexico City on June 30.
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Czechia win or draw vs. South Africa (check!)
If South Korea and Mexico draw, neither team will clinch a spot in the knockout stage, but South Korea would remain in a good spot to do so in the final Group A match against South Africa.
If South Korea loses, Mexico would win Group A. While it wouldn’t be able to win the group, South Korea can still feel good about its chances to advance since it would still remain in second place in the standings and have the inside track to be the runner-up in Group A.
South Korea World Cup schedule
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June 11: vs. Czechia (Win, 2-1)
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June 18: vs. Mexico, 9 p.m. ET, Guadalajara Stadium (Guadalajara, Mexico)
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June 24: vs. South Africa, 9 p.m. ET, Monterrey Stadium (Monterrey, Mexico)
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: South Korea 2026 World Cup clinching scenarios, how they make knockout round
