In preparation for their anticipated match against the Iraqi national team, the South Korean national team delegation will arrive today, Monday, June 2, 2025, in the city of Basra coming from the South Korean capital, Seoul, aboard a private plane departing from Incheon International Airport, on a flight that takes approximately 10 continuous hours.

The plane is scheduled to land at exactly 3 PM Iraq time, amidst precise security and organizational measures coordinated by the sports and official authorities in Basra, in preparation to receive one of the most prominent Asian teams.

This special trip comes in light of the significant importance that South Korea attaches to the ninth round match of the Asian qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, which will take place next Thursday (June 5) at Basra International Stadium, where the Korean team seeks to secure a direct qualification ticket to the World Cup, while the Iraqi team enters the match with ambitions for three points and reviving their World Cup dream.

The Korean team delegation will immediately begin procedures for accommodation and preparation upon arrival, amidst a rigorous training plan set by the team's management led by veteran coach Hong Myung-bo, who previously stated his full respect for the Iraqi national team, describing the match as “the key to a difficult passage in a complicated group.”

According to Korean media sources, the team will conduct its first training session tomorrow, Tuesday, at a secondary field belonging to the sports city, and will hold its official training on Wednesday evening on the pitch of Basra International Stadium.

It is worth noting that the Korean national team currently leads Group B of the qualifiers with 16 points, while the Iraqi team is in third place with 12 points, behind the Jordanian team in second place with 13 points, making this match crucial for all parties.