KOREA REPUBLIC
The hosts will mark their 14th participation in the U-20 World Cup, more than any other AFC member.
Led by coach Shin Tae-yong, Korea’s squad are perhaps the most studious in the tournament: 11 of their 21 players hail from university clubs, including five from powerhouse Yonsei University.
Their most visible players will be a duo who have matriculated through Barcelona’s famed youth academy: Lee Seung-woo, the 19-year-old attacker whose MVP performance in the 2014 AFC U-16 Championship qualified his country for the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup, and Paik Seung-ho, who at 20 has debuted for Barcelona B.
Korea may not feel confident in their chances of finishing above six-time champions Argentina, who have won half of those titles in Asia, but good results against West African minnows Guinea and notorious strugglers England in front of a home crowd could give them the boost needed to reach the Round of 16.
Schedule (all times GMT+9)
May 20 – vs. Guinea (Jeonju, 20:00)
May 23 – vs. Argentina (Jeonju, 20:00)
May 26 – vs. England (Suwon, 20:00)