South Korea enters the 2026 World Cup in Group A alongside co-host Mexico, South Africa, and Czechia after an unbeaten qualifying campaign that secured direct qualification. Traders assign the highest implied probability to group-stage elimination at 51 percent amid concerns over recent tactical inconsistencies, set-piece vulnerabilities, and the need for Son Heung-min and supporting attackers to convert limited chances against organized defenses. Historical Round of 16 exits in 2022 and earlier tournaments anchor expectations around 36–39 percent for progression to the knockout phase, while low single-digit odds for deeper runs reflect the competitive bracket and Mexico’s home advantage. The tight clustering across leading outcomes stems from a balanced group draw, variable recent form, and the high variance typical of opening matches in an expanded 48-team field.