As the October 2025 international window concludes, South Korea vs Paraguay will be in a crucial friendly at Seoul World Cup Stadium on October 14, offering both teams a final preparation before the 2026 FIFA World Cup draw in December.
South Korea, under Hong Myung-bo, is desperate for a win to boost its FIFA ranking and secure a Pot 2 spot, currently at 22nd but threatened by Ecuador and Australia. Paraguay, qualified for their first World Cup since 2010, arrives after a resilient 2-2 draw with Japan, but faces defensive concerns with captain Fabian Balbuena sidelined by a broken ankle.
Recent updates showcase South Korea’s 5-0 defeat against Brazil, revealing weaknesses, while Paraguay’s unbeaten streak in qualifiers demonstrates their resilience during a transitional period.
South Korea vs Paraguay – Date, Time, Predictions, and More
The South Korea vs Paraguay international friendly kicks off on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. KST (6:00 a.m. ET / 3:00 a.m. PT / 9:00 p.m. AEDT) at Seoul World Cup Stadium in Seoul.
This matchup is a crucial World Cup preparation, with South Korea looking to recover from recent struggles and Paraguay exploring their roster depth. Early forecasts suggest a close game, with odds favoring a 1-1 draw.
South Korea vs Paraguay Team News and Analysis
South Korea enters the friendly with a full squad available as of October 13, 2025, with no reported injuries, allowing manager Hong Myung-bo to field his strongest lineup. Stars like Son Heung-min and Kim Min-jae are expected to feature prominently.
The team’s form has been patchy, with just one win in their last four matches (W-L-D-L), including a 2-0 victory over the USA but a humiliating 5-0 loss to Brazil.
Averaging 1.25 goals scored and 2 conceded recently, South Korea’s home struggles—losing their last two without scoring—add pressure amid the fight for a better World Cup seeding.
Paraguay deals with key absences: Captain Fabian Balbuena is out until December with a broken ankle, while forwards Isidro Pitta and Ramon Sosa miss due to thigh injuries. Manager Gustavo Julio Alfaro will rely on Gustavo Gomez to anchor the defense.
Paraguay has been in strong form, losing just one of their last 13 matches (W-D-D-W-L) and earning World Cup qualification with the joint-second fewest defeats in CONMEBOL. With an average of 1 goal scored and 0.75 conceded per game, their recent 2-2 draw with Japan showcases their attacking potential. However, their away record, with only one win in seven, highlights their resilience rather than dominance.
Both South Korea and Paraguay prioritize momentum-building, with South Korea focusing on home redemption and Paraguay adapting to injuries in this preparatory clash.
South Korea vs Paraguay Head-to-Head Record
South Korea and Paraguay have met five times historically, with South Korea unbeaten (2 wins, 3 draws). Their encounters are low-scoring, averaging 1.8 goals per game, with no Paraguay victory. The last meeting ended in a 0-0 draw in 2022.
South Korea vs Paraguay All-time H2H
| Date | Competition | Home Team | Score | Away Team | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 10, 2022 | International Friendly | South Korea | 2-2 | Paraguay | Draw |
| November 10, 2019 | International Friendly | South Korea | 0-0 | Paraguay | Draw |
| October 7, 2014 | International Friendly | South Korea | 2-0 | Paraguay | South Korea |
| August 12, 2009 | International Friendly | South Korea | 1-0 | Paraguay | South Korea |
| February 19, 2005 | International Friendly | South Korea | 1-1 | Paraguay | Draw |
South Korea vs Paraguay Predicted XI Lineups
With injuries in mind, here are the predicted starting lineups:
South Korea (3-4-3):
Jo; Seol, Cho, Kim M, Kim J, Lee T; Lee K, Hwang, Paik, Lee J; Son.
Paraguay (4-2-3-1):
Fernandez; Caceres, Gomez, Alderete, Alonso; Bobadilla, Cubas; Gonzalez, Gomez D, Almiron; Sanabria.
These setups reflect tactical preferences, with rotations possible for fitness.
Key Players
South Korea: Son Heung-min (prolific forward with goals and assists), Lee Kang-in (creative winger), and Kim Min-jae (defensive rock).
Paraguay: Miguel Almiron (speedy attacker providing width), Gustavo Gomez (experienced center-back stepping up), and Antonio Sanabria (striker leading the line).
Match Prediction
South Korea’s home urgency meets Paraguay’s defensive resilience, likely resulting in a stalemate.
- Prediction: South Korea 1-1 Paraguay. Under 2.5 goals is probable, given recent trends.
Where to watch South Korea vs Paraguay International Friendly
In the USA, stream live on ESPN+ or fuboTV; check FOX Sports for highlights. Canadian viewers can watch on DAZN or OneSoccer. For Australia, beIN Sports or Optus Sport offers coverage. In Europe, DAZN (various countries) or beIN Sports streams the match. For the best South Korea vs Paraguay friendly live stream in the USA, Canada, or Australia, subscribe to ESPN+ or DAZN for HD access.