The opponents for the South Korean national football team's friendly matches during the FIFA international match windows in September and October have been finalized.

The Korea Football Association announced today (the 5th) that the national team will face South American sides Ecuador and Uruguay in friendly matches held at home this coming September.

The national team will play Ecuador on September 24, just before the Chuseok holiday, followed by a match against Uruguay on September 28.

As previously announced, they will then clash with Venezuela on October 2 and Uzbekistan on October 6.

Following the 2026 FIFA World Cup, head coach Hong Myung-bo stepped down from the national team helm, and South Korea will play these friendly matches under an interim head coach system.

Ecuador ranks 25th in the FIFA rankings, placing them above South Korea (32nd).

In the South American qualifiers for the World Cup, Ecuador conceded only 5 goals across 18 matches, finishing second among 10 nations behind Argentina to secure a spot in the finals.

At the World Cup group stage, they defeated Germany and advanced to the round of 32, but their tournament run ended after a loss to co-host Mexico.

South Korea holds a record of 1 win and 1 loss in two previous encounters against Ecuador.

In their most recent meeting, a friendly held in Seoul in May 2010, South Korea won 2-0.

Uruguay, ranked 20th in the FIFA rankings, is a traditional South American powerhouse.

At the World Cup, they finished third in their group behind Spain and Cape Verde, failing to advance to the round of 32.

South Korea has faced Uruguay 10 times, recording 1 win, 2 draws, and 7 losses.

They also lost 1-2 in their most recent friendly match held in Seoul in March 2023.

In World Cup finals matches, the two teams have met three times, with South Korea recording 1 draw and 2 losses without a win.

The venues and kickoff times for the four A-match fixtures in September and October are currently under discussion and will be announced at a later date.

(Photo provided by Korea Football Association, Yonhap News)