It’s 2026, and a new year naturally makes people look ahead. Over the next 12 months, there is a lot to look forward to. Of course, the World Cup is always the biggest event in any football year, but there is much more besides. We should start, though, in North America. There will be 48 teams across the United States, Canada and Mexico, but the Taeguk Warriors will be based in Mexico, where all three of their group-stage games will take place. They will face the hosts, as well as South Africa and the winner of a European playoff. Anyone who has followed the team through qualification will know that the national team did the job quite comfortably, but never really impressed. Coach Hong Myung-bo, who was appointed in the summer of 2024, has not really won over the doubters and has not yet imprinted any consistent philosophy on the team. It feels like there is a reliance on the big-name stars such as Lee Kang-in, Kim Min-jae and, of course, Son Heung-min to make the difference when the pressure is on. Hong will hope that Son will benefit from his move to Los Angeles. Not only is the forwa