South Korea vs Brazil
With nine months to go before the 2026 World Cup kicks off in North America, the giants of South America are already beginning to plan and prepare, and Brazil have a big test when they visit South Korea on Friday.
The Seoul World Cup Stadium will see a glittering array of stars on both sides as the Korea Republic look forward to their 11th consecutive finals and take on one of the Jules Rimet greats. Carlo Ancelotti’s Brazil come into the game on the back of a 1-0 defeat to Bolivia in the final round of the CONMEBOL World Cup 2026 qualifiers, and they meet a side which, managed by Hong Myung-Bo, drew with Mexico, and beat the USA in the September international break.
It promises to be an entertaining International Friendly, according to the International Friendly 2025 odds, so let’s have a look at the news from the two camps in the run-up to Friday’s blockbuster.
Talking Points
Castrop happy to be a Tiger
Hong was a South Korean legend as a player, racking up 136 international caps between 1990 and 2002, scoring 10 goals as one of the best sweepers in world football. And he’s doing quite nicely in his second stint as head coach of the Tigers of Asia, delivering World Cup football in style, and the federation pulled off a coup in the summer with the recruitment of Germany U21 star Jens Castrop.
Born in Germany but with a South Korean mother, the 22-year-old Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder was affiliated to Korea in August, and he made his international debut in the victory over the USA. He’s delighted to be a man of Korea, saying, “I see myself as very Asian in terms of character traits. I used to take taekwondo, and being competitive is a very Asian trait of mine.”
As an attacking midfielder, Castrop will learn plenty from talisman and Captain Son Heung-Min, now at Los Angeles FC. The former Spurs man has 53 goals in 136 internationals, and he scored in his first four games for LAFC. One of the best forwards in the business, Son will be a great mentor for the new creative recruit.
Another big name and a player Castrop will come across in Germany is Bayern Munich defender Kim Min-Jae. The Bavarians have won all six league games so far, and the SBOTOP odds say they will take some catching. With just three goals conceded, Kim is marshalling the best defence in the German league.
Estevao is ready for the world stage
Ancelotti will never be short of choice as long as he is Brazil manager and the squad he takes to Asia is, once again, packed with talent. The Selecao have had some of the best forwards in world football through history, and now is no exception. Even without the injured Neymar and Raphinha, there is an array of striking stars up front, with the Real Madrid pair of Rodrygo and Vinicius Jr. frequently taking the headlines.
But there is a new kid on the block.
Chelsea wonderkid Estevao is poised to make new International Friendly 2025 highlights after he lit it up on Saturday with a glittering performance in the Blues’ victory over Liverpool, scoring a 96th-minute winner which blew the roof off Stamford Bridge and the Premier League title race wide open. The 18-year-old winger has already made seven appearances for the Selecao, scoring his first international goal in a 3-0 win over Chile in September.
Premier League fans will also look out for Tottenham Hotspur striker Richarlison, who has been in a rich vein of form, and the Newcastle United pair of Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton. Guimaraes scored a screamer on Sunday as the Magpies beat Nottingham Forest 2-0 to lift the Magpies to 11th in the Premier League table.
As the last line of defence, with no Ederson or Alisson in the Brazil squad, this is a chance for 26-year-old Al-Nassr keeper Bento to add to his four caps, and he’ll get plenty of protection from Arsenal’s Gabriel and Real Madrid’s Eder Militao.
History
Brazil are five-time World Champions, reaching the finals 22 times, and they are one of the favourites to lift the world crown again in the USA next year. And South Korea have become a serious force in international football too, as 11-time participants at the World Cup and they were semi-finalists in 2002, in the twilight of Hong’s illustrious playing career.
Brazil have won seven of their eight encounters with South Korea, but the hosts have been more consistent in 2025. The Tigers have won five, drawn three, and lost one match this year, while the Selecao have won three, drawn one and lost two. There will be plenty of fans in Seoul hoping for more of the same from their heroes on Friday.
●●●
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE FOOTBALL STORIES & ODDS
Stay updated with everything sports and betting.
Follow us on social Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
