The World Cup is less than three months away and both of these teams have unfinished business.
Stadium MK in Milton Keynes is hosting one of the most intriguing World Cup warm-up fixtures of this international window. South Korea, ranked 22nd in the world and unbeaten in their last nine matches on foreign soil, against Ivory Coast, the reigning AFCON champions who had their crown snatched away by Egypt in the quarterfinals earlier this year. Two proud footballing nations, both already booked for North America, both here to answer questions and build momentum.
South Korea are on a run of just two defeats in 19 matches under Hong Myung-bo since his second stint began in July 2024. That is a manager who has turned a programme around completely and has his team firing on all cylinders heading into the biggest tournament of their generation. In their most recent matches they defeated Iraq, Kuwait and Ghana in succession, all without conceding a single goal. Clean sheets, wins, and confidence. Exactly what you want three months before a World Cup.
Ivory Coast walked into AFCON as defending champions and walked out in the quarterfinals. That stings. But the talent in this squad is undeniable and Emerse Fae knows this friendly is the perfect opportunity to reset, rebuild, and remind everyone what the Elephants are capable of. The only previous meeting between these sides came in March 2010 in London, where South Korea won 2-0. Same city, same result? The data suggests it is possible.
Photo Credit (Getty Images)
South Korea vs Ivory Coast: Key Stats
Head-to-head: South Korea 1 win, Ivory Coast 0 wins, 0 draws
South Korea: Unbeaten in their last 9 matches on foreign soil, winning 7
South Korea: Just 2 defeats in 19 matches under Hong Myung-bo
South Korea: Three consecutive wins keeping clean sheets in all three
South Korea: 22nd in FIFA rankings, 15 places above Ivory Coast
Ivory Coast: Won 6 of their last 9 matches in all competitions
Ivory Coast: Eliminated by Egypt in AFCON quarterfinals, their only recent defeat
Ivory Coast: Missing Yan Diomande, Christopher Operi and Willy Boly through injury
South Korea: Missing Hwang In-beom through injury
Photo Credit (CAF)
What to Expect
South Korea are the more settled and cohesive unit right now. Myung-bo has found a system that works and his players know their roles inside out. Son Heung-min leads from the front with 55 international goals and three away from breaking the all-time South Korea scoring record. Lee Kang-in provides the creativity from wide areas and has been in excellent form for PSG. Without Hwang In-beom in midfield, South Korea lose some dynamism but they have enough quality across the pitch to manage that absence. They are organised, hard to beat, and on three straight clean sheets. That is a dangerous combination.
Ivory Coast have the individual quality to hurt anyone on their day. Amad Diallo has been one of the most consistent performers in the Premier League this season at Manchester United and brings that confidence directly into this squad. Sebastien Haller leads the line with the physicality to trouble any centre back partnership, while Seko Fofana and Franck Kessie give them experience and athleticism in the engine room. The AFCON exit was painful but this is a fresh start. The concern is the missing players. Diomande, Boly and Operi are all absent, which weakens their defensive options significantly.
Predicted Lineups
South Korea (5-4-1)
Song; Seol, Cho, Kim Min-jae, Park, Tae-Seok; Kang-In, Castrop, Kwon, Son; Oh
Ivory Coast (4-3-3)
Y Fofana; Doue, Kossounou, Ndicka, Konan; Kessie, Sangare, Seko Fofana; Diallo, Guessand, Adingra
Players to Watch
Son Heung-min - Three goals away from the all-time South Korea scoring record and the kind of player who performs in front of cameras and on big stages. He leads this team in everything, from pressing to finishing, and Ivory Coast's left side will need to be completely switched on every time he receives the ball.
Lee Kang-in - The PSG winger is the most creative player in this South Korea squad and the man most likely to unlock Ivory Coast's defence with a moment of individual brilliance. His dribbling in tight spaces and ability to find the final pass is what makes South Korea genuinely dangerous going forward.
Amad Diallo - Arguably the most in-form player on the pitch based on his Manchester United performances this season. Fast, direct and full of confidence. He gives Ivory Coast a real weapon on the right side and South Korea's left back will have to be alert to him all game long.
Evan Ndicka - The Roma centre back is Ivory Coast's most important defensive player and the one tasked with keeping Son Heung-min quiet for 90 minutes. A big ask, but Ndicka has shown this season at club level that he is capable of handling elite forwards. His performance could define the outcome.
Prediction
South Korea to win: 2.85
Ivory Coast to win: 2.34
Draw: 3.25
Under 2.5 Goals: 1.72
Prediction: South Korea 1-0 Ivory Coast
The data pulls in South Korea's direction consistently. Three straight clean sheets, nine games unbeaten on foreign soil, a manager with only two defeats in 19 games, and a head-to-head record that already favours the Koreans. Ivory Coast have the talent to cause problems but are missing defensive cover and are still recovering emotionally from the AFCON disappointment. This has the feel of a tight, disciplined contest where South Korea's organisation and Son's individual quality makes the difference. One goal, another clean sheet, and South Korea head to the World Cup with momentum firmly on their side.
