"No opponent is easy for the Korean team to play. Before and now, Mexico has always been a great team. However, compared to before, we have many more experienced players. Mexico has home advantage, but we will prepare as well as possible for that match.
We have to play the first two matches at a high altitude, about 1,600m above sea level, and the third match will take place in a warm and humid place. It will take at least 10 days or at most two weeks to adapt to such an altitude. Maybe we will have to go there right after gathering all the squads, said coach Hong Myung-bo of the Korean team.
The draw results put the Korean team in Group A with the host team Mexico, South Africa and the winning team of the play-off of branch D in the European region.
I know many Australian people will book tickets as soon as we know who we will play against. We have great support, and I believe that every Australian will always support us.
We have given opportunities to a few young players in recent friendly matches. That helps us increase the depth of the squad and the whole team is now in the final preparations for the World Cup, said Tony Popovic, Australian coach.
At the 2026 World Cup, the team from the land of the Mousetraps will compete in Group D with the US team, Paraguay and the play-off representative from the European branch C.
Meanwhile, Iran, one of the strongest teams in Asia, will face Belgium, Egypt and New Zealand in Group G. According to Iran coach Amir Ghalenoei, the four teams in the group are quite similar, which gives his team many opportunities. To prepare for the final steps for the World Cup, Iran will play 4 friendly matches.
Japan, Asia's No. 1 team, will meet the Netherlands, Cambodia and the winning team of the play-off from Europe's B division. Every team in our group is strong, so I predict this will be a challenging group.
The Netherlands is one of the top teams in the world. They have never won the championship but have reached the final. Cambodia has won nine and drawn one in the qualifiers without conceding, which is confident and wise.
However, I really look forward to each match. One of our main strengths is the ability to organize, and I think that has developed significantly, said Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu.
The Saudi Arabia team also fell into a very heavy group when meeting two former world champions, Spain, Uruguay and rookie Cabo Verde in Group H.
This is the seventh time Saudi Arabia has participated in the World Cup. The team has only passed the group stage once. Therefore, our first goal is to qualify for the group stage. If we can do that, it will be a successful World Cup for us, said Saudi Arabia coach Hever Renard.
The Jordan newcomer will compete in Group J with defending champions Argentina, Austria and Algeria.
This is an opportunity for Jordan to show its football talent to the world, helping players gain experience and opening up opportunities for young players to play professionally outside the Jordan tournament, said Jamal Sellami, head coach of Jordan.
Meanwhile, Uzbekistan will meet Portugal, Colombia and the winning team of the 1st Intercontinental Play-off.
"This is a really difficult group because we have to face Portugal. It will be very difficult for us, but I tell my players that participating in the World Cup is a privilege. We need to enjoy the World Cup and the games, then we will see what happens.
Most of our players are playing in the Middle East, Turkey and the Uzbekistan tournament. Our tournament is not too harsh, so we need to improve these factors, said Uzbek coach Fabio Cannavaro.
