Thailand vs South Korea

Bangkok’s Rajamangala Stadium forms the backdrop for the top-table 2026 World Cup qualifying Group C six-pointer between Thailand and South Korea.

Thailand have delivered a mixed bag of performance across their opening three qualifying games (W1, D1, L1), though there was a common denominator. All three matches saw both teams on the scoresheet, including a stunning 1-1 draw in Seoul last week. Masatada Ishii’s side got lucky in the reverse fixture, considering they conceded as many as 25 shots on goal, allowing South Korea to generate a 2.47 xG. The impending home return should be a substantial morale boost for the ‘War Elephants,’ but after losing all three previous H2Hs they hosted, that might not be the case. It’s also worth noting that after winning four consecutive home outings at the start of 2023, they’ve since lost back-to-back matches on home turf, conceding precisely two goals on both occasions.

On the other hand, South Korea should still feel comfortable about their quest to secure an 11th successive World Cup despite relinquishing a two-game winning streak to Group C. Unlike those two wins, in which the Koreans also won the first half ‘to nil,’ a failed attempt to put clear daylight between the sides in Seoul knocked them down from a two-game winning H2H run. The ‘Taegeuk Warriors’ are still in a position of relative comfort, knowing they’ve never lost a meeting with Thailand (W5, D3), including a 3-1 victory in their only previous away H2H in World Cup qualifying. Caretaker manager Hwang Sun-hong wouldn’t mind another identical outcome, not least because his men have only won once on their three international travels since the start of 2023 (D1, L1).