Photo : YONHAP News
South Korea’s national football team has departed to begin preparing for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America, aiming for its best-ever result in an overseas tournament with a quarterfinal finish or better.
On Monday the squad left Incheon International Airport for Salt Lake City, Utah, where it will set up a training camp ahead of the World Cup.
The main group, including the coaching staff and support personnel, departed first, while players based in Europe are expected to join the team early next week in accordance with FIFA regulations.
The team will train for two weeks using facilities operated by Major League Soccer club Real Salt Lake and the University of Utah.
Salt Lake City was selected because its altitude, climate, humidity and time difference are considered similar to those of Guadalajara, Mexico, where South Korea will set up its base camp and play its first two group-stage matches.
The national team is also scheduled to play two final warmup matches during the pre-tournament camp.