South Korea’s 2002 campaign remains Asia’s highest finish at the tournament. As the report recounts, Guus Hiddink’s team won a group featuring Poland, Portugal and the United States before producing dramatic knockout victories over Italy and Spain.
Germany ended South Korea’s run in the semi-finals, but the achievement transformed expectations. Home advantage mattered, yet the team’s energy, organisation and belief made the campaign more than a one-off hosting benefit.
North Korea had already delivered Asia’s first major shock in 1966. The report says they defeated two-time champions Italy 1-0 before reaching the quarter-finals, where Portugal recovered from 3-0 down to win 5-3.
Saudi Arabia made an equally striking entrance in 1994. After losing to the Netherlands, they reportedly defeated Morocco 2-1 and Belgium 1-0 to reach the last 16. Saeed Al Owairan’s solo goal remains one of the tournament’s most memorable moments.
Japan’s recent progress reflects a different kind of Asian success: sustained competitiveness against elite opposition. At the 2022 tournament, the report says Japan recovered from defeat by Costa Rica to beat Germany and Spain 2-1, topping a demanding group.
That run reinforced Japan’s status as one of Asia’s established World Cup sides, while Saudi Arabia’s reported victory over eventual champions Argentina at the same tournament underlined the region’s capacity for major upsets.
The 2026 finals will reportedly feature Australia, Iran, Iraq, Japan, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Korea and Uzbekistan. The next storyline is whether that record representation produces another quarter-finalist-or finally takes Asia beyond South Korea’s historic ceiling.