Korean Soccer Makes World Cup History, FIFA Confirms Pot 2 Draw - Avoiding Croatia, uruguay, and Morocco
Zurich, Switzerland – November 26, 2025 – For the first time in history, South Korea has secured a position that allows it to avoid potential clashes with formidable opponents Croatia, Uruguay, and morocco in the group stage of the expanded 48-team FIFA World Cup, following the official proclamation of Pot 2 assignments. The draw, crucial for determining the initial group compositions, was revealed today by FIFA, setting the stage for the final group formation.
This growth is significant for the Korean national team as it increases their chances of progressing beyond the group stage. Previously, South Korea has faced challenging group stage draws, frequently enough encountering strong teams from Pot 2.The avoidance of Croatia, Uruguay, and Morocco – all teams with proven World Cup pedigree – presents a more favorable path for the Taeguk Warriors. The draw impacts not only South Korea’s prospects but also the overall competitive balance of the tournament, influencing potential knockout stage matchups.
Pot 1 included co-hosts Canada, Mexico, and the united States, alongside Spain, Argentina, France, England, brazil, Portugal, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany. pot 3 consists of Norway, Panama, Egypt, Algeria, Scotland, Paraguay, Tunisia, Côte d’Ivoire, Uzbekistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and South Africa. Jordan, Cape Verde, Ghana, Curaçao, Haiti, and New Zealand have been assigned to Pot 4, with six additional countries to be added after European regional playoff and intercontinental playoff competitions.
FIFA has implemented regulations to balance the tournament bracket, dividing it into two sections and establishing special rules for the top four ranked nations – Spain, Argentina, France, and England – to ensure potential semifinal clashes only occur if all four advance as group winners. Countries from the same continent (excluding Europe) cannot be placed in the same group.Mexico was assigned to Group A, Canada to Group B, and the United States to Group D during the initial host nation placements. The remaining countries will be drawn into Groups C, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, and L, following the order of Pot 2, Pot 3, and then Pot 4, with pre-persistent position allocations within each group.
(Photo = Getty Images, FIFA)
