South Korea Prepares for the World Cup

May 16, 2026, 09:28
AfricaSports

Introduction

Coach Hong Myung-bo chose 26 players for the World Cup. The games start on June 11.

Main Body

Captain Son Heung-min is in the team. He is a very important player. The team has only three forwards. They need Son to score goals. Jens Castrop is also in the team. He is the first player born outside South Korea to play in the World Cup. The team is training in Salt Lake City, USA. This place is high in the mountains. Mexico is also high. The players want to feel strong and not tired in Mexico. The team lost two friendly games recently. But the World Cup now has 48 teams. This gives South Korea a good chance to win. They want to reach the round of 32.

Conclusion

The team is training in the USA. Then they go to Mexico to play against Czechia, Mexico, and South Africa.

Learning

🌍 Where is it?

Look at how the text describes places. It uses a very simple pattern: [Place] is [Description].

  • This place is high in the mountains.
  • Mexico is also high.

How to use this: Use is or is also to describe a city or country.

Example: Tokyo is big. Seoul is also big.

πŸƒ Action Words (Now)

Notice the words ending in -ing. This tells us something is happening right now or is a current plan.

  • The team is training...

Simple Rule: Person/Group β†’\rightarrow is/are β†’\rightarrow Action + ing

I am learning English. β†’\rightarrow They are playing football.

πŸ“¦ The "Only" Trick

The text says: "The team has only three forwards."

When you want to say a number is small or surprising, put only before the number.

  • I have only two dollars.
  • She has only one cat.

Vocabulary Learning

coach (n.)
A person who trains and directs a sports team.
Example:The coach gave us a pep talk before the match.
player (n.)
Someone who participates in a sport.
Example:She is a talented player in the basketball team.
team (n.)
A group of people working together to achieve a goal.
Example:Our team won the championship.
captain (n.)
The leader of a sports team.
Example:The captain signed the contract.
forward (n.)
A player who plays near the opponent's goal to score.
Example:He is a strong forward for the club.
score (v.)
To get points in a game.
Example:They scored two goals in the first half.
goal (n.)
A target to achieve in a game.
Example:The team is trying to reach the goal.
training (n.)
The process of practicing skills to improve performance.
Example:Training at the stadium helps improve performance.
friendly (adj.)
A game that is not part of a competition.
Example:They played a friendly match on Sunday.
chance (n.)
An opportunity to do something.
Example:He had a chance to win the award.
win (v.)
To be victorious in a competition.
Example:They hope to win the tournament.
reach (v.)
To arrive at a place or goal.
Example:We will reach the final next week.
round (n.)
A stage or level in a competition.
Example:The next round starts tomorrow.
country (n.)
A nation with its own government.
Example:The country is hosting the event.
city (n.)
A large town where many people live.
Example:The city has many parks.