South Korean Men's Soccer Team Reveals Starting Lineup for Warm-Up Match Against Ivory Coast The South Korean men's soccer team, coached by Hong Myung-bo, has finalized its starting lineup for an upcoming warm-up match against Ivory Coast. The game will take place at Stadium MK in Milton Keynes, England, on March 28 (Korea time) at 11 p.m. The lineup was disclosed ahead of the match, with Hwang Hee-chan, Oh Hyun-kyu, and Bae Jun-ho forming the attacking trio. Midfielders Park Jin-seop and Kim Jin-kyu will support the offense, while the defense will be led by Seol Young-woo, Kim Min-jae, Cho Yoo-min, Kim Tae-hyun, and Kim Moon-hwan. Goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu will be in charge of the net. Key players such as Son Heung-min, Lee Kang-in, and Lee Jae-sung are expected to start from the bench. This match serves as a final mock test ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where South Korea will face Group A opponents in the North and Central America region. Ivory Coast, ranked 37th in the FIFA rankings, is a formidable challenge despite its lower position compared to South Korea (ranked 22nd). The African team boasts a strong squad, including European league stars like Ahmad Diallo (Manchester United), Nicola Pepe (Villarreal), and Odilong Kosunu (Atalanta). Ivory Coast’s defensive unit, known as the "iron wall," has recorded 25 points in 10 African qualifying matches, making it a significant obstacle for South Korea’s offense. Historically, South Korea holds a slight edge in the all-time rivalry, with one win over Ivory Coast. A notable moment was the 2010 friendly in London, where Lee Dong-guk and Kwak Tae-hwi scored consecutive goals to secure a 2-0 victory. The team plans to assess its competitiveness against Ivory Coast by deploying its best lineup, featuring all overseas-based players.#south_korea #ivory_coast #2026_fifa_world_cup #hong_myung_bo #stadium_mk
