▲ After the North American World Cup, South Korea faces another major challenge: ending a 67-year Asian Cup title drought. The 2027 Asian Cup group draw is complete. ⓒYonhap News Agency
[SPOTV News reporter Jo Yong-un] Hong Myung-bo’s push to bring the Asian crown back to South Korea after 67 years is beginning to take shape.
At the 2027 AFC Asian Cup group draw in Riyadh on May 10, South Korea were placed in Group E alongside the United Arab Emirates, Vietnam and the winner of the Lebanon–Yemen playoff.
Ranked 25th by FIFA, South Korea entered the draw as a Pot 1 team and landed a relatively favorable group on paper.
The quality gap is clear. The UAE, viewed as the toughest opponent in Group E, sit 68th in the FIFA rankings — well below South Korea. South Korea also hold a dominant head-to-head record: 13 wins, five draws and three losses. While the UAE did pull off an upset during the final round of 2022 World Cup qualifying, the overall edge still tilts toward South Korea.
The Vietnam matchup brings intrigue. Under coach Kim Sang-sik, Vietnam has emerged as a Southeast Asian heavyweight, but many expect they’re still a step short of matching South Korea. Historical results have favored Korea decisively. Lebanon or Yemen, similarly, are judged to be behind Korea both in individual talent and in team cohesion.
The real test, however, starts after the group stage. The knockout bracket tells a different story than the relatively tame group draw. On the road to the title, heavyweights such as Japan, Iran and Saudi Arabia loom — and that raises the stakes considerably.
Group standing could dramatically shape South Korea’s path. If they advance as group runners-up into the round of 16, the most likely opponent would be Japan, the favorite out of Group F. That scenario could deliver a Korea–Japan blockbuster early in the knockout phase — a match with the feel of a final.
Finishing first doesn’t guarantee an easier route. Under the current bracket, South Korea would likely meet Iran in the quarterfinals. Korea and Iran have a long history of brutal, tournament-defining clashes, and Iran has often been a major obstacle on the road to the title. Iran remains one of Korea’s toughest test cases.
Even if Korea clears that hurdle, the path remains daunting. They could face host Saudi Arabia in the semifinals and then potentially Japan in the final. Whether Korea finishes first or second in the group, the knockout road reads like a gauntlet.
For a side targeting the title, every route includes top opposition. To end a 67-year Asian Cup drought dating back to 1960 and reclaim continental supremacy, South Korea will have to power through a brutal draw.
The tournament carries special meaning for coach Hong Myung-bo as well. His contract runs through the 2027 Asian Cup, and barring unexpected changes he will shift focus to the Asian Cup immediately after the 2026 World Cup in North America. He’ll become the first Korean manager to lead the national team at two World Cups, but this could be his first time steering the side at the Asian Cup.
▲ After the North American World Cup, South Korea faces another major challenge: ending a 67-year Asian Cup title drought. The 2027 Asian Cup group draw is complete. ⓒKorea Football Association
▲ After the North American World Cup, South Korea faces another major challenge: ending a 67-year Asian Cup title drought. The 2027 Asian Cup group draw is complete. ⓒAFC
▲ This Asian Cup could very well be Son Heung-min’s final international tournament. Born in 1992, it’s likely he would retire from the national team after trying to finish his international career on a high.
