Hong Myung-bo, head coach of the national football team, arrived in the United States to attend the 2026 North, Central America, and Caribbean World Cup draw. Yonhap News

Hong Myung-bo, head coach of the national football team, arrived in the United States on the 3rd (local time) to attend the draw ceremony for the 2026 North, Central America, and Caribbean World Cup.

Upon arriving in the U.S. through Dulles International Airport near Washington D.C. on the same day, Hong met with Korean reporters and said, "The very act of qualifying for the World Cup is a great honor, both personally and for the team."

He added, "The draw ceremony is the day after tomorrow (the 5th, U.S. time), and the World Cup will officially begin once the draw results are known."

The North, Central America, and Caribbean World Cup draw ceremony will be held at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. at noon on the 5th (2 AM on the 6th, Korean time).

When asked about the ideal scenario for the Korean national team regarding which group they would be in and which teams they would face in that group, Hong replied, "It's impossible to predict yet."

He also stated, when requested to name the teams Korea, placed in Pot 2, would most want to avoid from Pot 1 or Pot 3, "It's difficult to say. I don't have the answers right now."

Hong announced that after the groups are finalized, he plans to visit the venues for the group stage matches and confirm the national team's base camp for next year's World Cup before returning to Korea.

Yonhap News