Son Heung-min’s Redemption Arc?

Following two underwhelming performances, Son Heung-min has an opportunity for redemption as he leads South Korea into their crucial final World Cup 2026 Group A fixture against South Africa.

Son Heung-min and his teammates are considered the favorites against South Africa

While Mexico secured early qualification for the round of 32 with back-to-back victories, the remaining spot alongside third place in the group remains a fierce battle among South Korea, the Czech Republic, and South Africa.

South Korea currently hold the upper hand in the race for second place. The Asian side will seal direct qualification to the round of 32 if they win or draw against South Africa in the final group match, scheduled for 8:00 AM on June 25.

Even in the event of a defeat, South Korea could still finish third, provided the Czech Republic fail to beat Mexico in the simultaneous fixture.

Given both sides' performances over the first two matchdays, securing points against South Africa appears well within reach for Son Heung-min and his teammates—particularly with a squad boasting high-caliber attacking talent like Lee Kang-in and Hwang Hee-chan.

For Son Heung-min, this match presents a prime chance for the South Korea captain to shine following a muted start to the tournament. South Africa’s defensive vulnerabilities could prove to be the exact weakness for the LAFC forward to exploit.

Meanwhile, the task ahead for the Czech Republic and South Africa is far more daunting. Beyond needing a mandatory win, both teams must also rely on a favorable result from the parallel match.

With Mexico comfortably perched at the top of the table, all eyes are now on the tense three-way race behind them. A single goal—or even a secondary tiebreaker—could ultimately decide the fate of South Korea, the Czech Republic, and South Africa in Group A.