If you’re in Seoul between now and early June, you could end up on an official 2026 FIFA World Cup poster standing next to Son Heung-min and Lee Kang-in. The Korea Football Association just opened applications for 12 fans to join the national team stars in promotional materials for the tournament co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
How the Contest Works
The KFA is running the selection through its official social media channels. While specific entry requirements haven’t been fully detailed yet, past KFA campaigns have typically required participants to post photos in Korea national team gear with specific hashtags, then get selected through a combination of creativity and engagement. Winners will shoot the poster images at a professional photo session in Seoul, likely at the KFA House in Jongno-gu or a stadium location. The final posters will be distributed across subway stations, bus stops, and digital billboards throughout South Korea starting in summer 2026.
Why This Matters If You’re Visiting Korea
Football isn’t just a sport here — it’s a cultural touchpoint that bridges generations. Being in Korea during a World Cup cycle means experiencing the red-shirted fan energy that takes over entire neighborhoods when the national team plays. This contest is part of Korea’s lead-up campaign to the 2026 tournament, where the team will aim to advance past the Round of 16 for the first time on foreign soil since 2010. If you’re around in June 2026, expect outdoor screenings in places like Gwanghwamun Plaza and World Cup Park in Mapo-gu, where thousands gather to watch matches on giant screens.
Getting Into Korean Football Culture While You’re Here
Whether or not you enter the poster contest, Seoul offers several ways to tap into football fandom. The Seoul World Cup Stadium in Sangam-dong (World Cup Stadium Station, Line 6) hosts K League matches where you can watch teams like FC Seoul play for ₩15,000-30,000 ($11-22 USD). The KFA Hall of Fame, located inside Seoul World Cup Stadium’s South Gate, displays jerseys, trophies, and video highlights from Korea’s 2002 semi-final run — it’s free and open match days plus weekday afternoons.
- Check the KFA’s official Instagram (@theKFA) and Facebook for contest announcements — they post in Korean and English
- Timing: If you’re in Seoul late May through early June 2026, you’re in the eligibility window before the June 11 World Cup opening match
- Korea team gear: Official jerseys run ₩90,000-110,000 ($65-80) at Nike stores in Myeongdong or Gangnam — cheaper replicas available at Dongdaemun Market sporting goods floors for ₩25,000-35,000
- Watch a K League match before the World Cup to understand Korean fan chants and energy — supporters’ sections are loud, choreographed, and welcoming to foreigners who join in
- Download the Naver Sports app for real-time match updates and team news in English — it’s how locals follow the national team
This is a genuine chance to be part of Korea’s World Cup marketing campaign, though realistically the selection will favor Korean nationals and long-term residents with established social media presence in Korean. Still, if you’re here with the right timing and a creative entry idea, it’s worth a shot — and at minimum, it’s a window into how seriously Korea takes its football identity heading into major tournaments.
