South Korea's national football team will spend the November FIFA international window on the road in the Middle East as it prepares to chase the title at the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup in January 2027. The trip amounts to a dress rehearsal for conditions the squad will face at the tournament.
The team, led by interim manager Robert Moreno of Spain, opens against Saudi Arabia, ranked 55th by FIFA, on Nov. 13, then meets Qatar, ranked 60th, four days later on Nov. 17. Kickoff is set for 11:30 p.m. and 11 p.m. Korean time, respectively. Both matches will be held in Doha, Qatar, with the specific stadiums to be confirmed and announced later.
Korea had initially explored playing both matches in Saudi Arabia, the host country of the Asian Cup. The idea was to experience the same climate, time difference and pitch conditions as the tournament itself.
The venue was moved to Doha, however, in light of the recent situation in Saudi Arabia.
Doha holds considerable value as an alternative, having hosted the 2024 Asian Cup. The dry climate, the distinctive match tempo of Middle Eastern sides and their tactical pattern of packing the defense before counterattacking can all be tested in competitive conditions, according to the assessment.
The two matches are effectively the last large-scale checkpoint before the Asian Cup squad is finalized. The team plans to work through a wide range of tactical combinations by position, focusing on sharpening its game management and cohesion. For players competing for places, the window also serves as a showcase.
Korea and Saudi Arabia have met 19 times, with the series level at five wins, nine draws and five losses. Their most recent meeting came in the round of 16 at the Asian Cup in Qatar in January 2024, when Korea drew 1-1 in regulation before advancing to the quarterfinals on penalties.
Against Qatar, Korea holds the edge with six wins, two draws and three losses in 11 matches. Their last encounter was a friendly in Austria in November 2020, which Korea won 2-1.