Has South Korea Won the World Cup?

Quick answer: No. South Korea has never won the FIFA World Cup. Best finish: Fourth place (2002).

South Korea's fourth-place finish in 2002 as co-hosts remains the best World Cup result by any Asian nation — but they have never won the title. Full squad history and stats: South Korea team page.


South Korea World Cup Record

StatValue
World Cup titles0
Appearances11
Best finishFourth place (2002)

Context matters: view South Korea against every title-winning nation on World Cup champions.


Memorable World Cup Moments for South Korea

  • 2002: Beat Italy and Spain en route to the semi-finals; lost to Germany; beat Turkey for fourth.
  • 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022: Mixed results — group exits and one Round of 16 (2010).
  • Park Ji-sung, Son Heung-min — global stars without a World Cup title.
  • Co-hosted 2002 with Japan — the tournament that put Korean football on the map.

Closest South Korea Came to Winning

2002 semi-final — lost 1–0 to Germany; one match from the final as hosts.

Why Fans Ask About South Korea and the World Cup

The 2002 run is legendary in Korea — younger fans often assume Korea must have won.

How South Korea Compare to World Cup Champions

Fourth place in 2002 is the Asian record — Japan have never passed the Round of 16.

Frequently Asked Questions

Has South Korea ever won the World Cup?

No.

Has South Korea won the World Cup?

No. Best finish: Fourth place (2002).

How many times has South Korea won the World Cup?

0 — zero titles.

How many World Cups has South Korea played?

11 appearances.

What is South Korea's best World Cup finish?

Fourth place (2002).

Did South Korea win the recent World Cup?

No.