The draw for the First Round of the 2026-27 Hana Bank Korea Cup has been named. Here is the draw in full, and our predictions.

The winners of the 15 fixtures will advance to take on K League 2 opposition in mid-July.

The draw in full.

Match 1: Jincheon HR (K4) vs. Siheung Citizen (K3)

Jincheon are currently fourth in K4, dropping from third after a disappointing draw with Gijang at the weekend. Jincheon have lost just one of their previous five outings, but are still a whopping 16 points off Jinju in first. Jincheon are also one of the league’s most goal-shy teams.

Siheung dropped points for only the fourth time this season – but are still unbeaten – and sit six points clear of Pocheon at the top of K3. With promotion out of the question, Siheung should target this competition.

Prediction: Siheung to advance.
What awaits the winner? Daegu FC, away.

Match 2: Ulsan Citizen (K3) vs. Chuncheon Citizen (K3)

Ulsan Citizen recorded a much-needed 4-1 win over Mokpo after a slow start to 2026. The win didn’t do much for their league position (11th from 14 teams) but it repaired some of the damage to their goal difference.

Chuncheon are level on points with Ulsan, but boast a better goal difference and a far more impressive goals scored column. The sides met in May, with Ulsan claiming a 2-1 victory.

Prediction: Ulsan to repeat their league victory.
What awaits the winner? Seoul E-Land, home.

Match 3: Anseong Citizen (K5) vs. FC Mokpo (K3)

Anseong went to Yangsan in the Pre-Round and recorded a narrow 2-1 win.

Mokpo are second bottom of K3, with just a solidarity victory to show from 16 matches. Far too many times they’ve been blanked in 2026 – and their 12 goals scored is the lowest in the division.

Prediction: Can’t see an upset. Mokpo to win.
What awaits the winner? Cheonan City, away.

Match 4: Busan Transportation (K3) vs. Gijang County (K4)

Busan Transportation are fourth, but form has completed deserted the team on the eve of the Korea Cup. They lost the transport derby to Daejeon at the weekend, a result which has seen them drop out of the title race.

Gijang are 10th in K4, but they have steadied the ship after three straight losses to collect four points from two matches. Gijang matches are high scoring.

Prediction: Busan to return to winning ways.
What awaits the winner? Suwon Samsung, home.

Match 5: Jinju Citizen (K4) vs. Sejong SA (K4)

Jinju are on fire this season. They’ve dropped five points all season, but weirdly their only defeat was a massive 6-2 loss at home. Since that hammering, Jinju have won four straight, scoring nine and conceding one.

Sejong are midtable, with six wins, six losses, and two draws. When they met in May, Sejong were destroyed 4-0. Their most recent match was a 3-1 loss at home.

Prediction: Jinju at a canter.
What awaits the winner? Ansan Greeners, away.

Match 6: Seosan Pioneer (K4) vs. Gyeongju KHNP (K3)

Seosan are bottom of K4 with three wins and 11 losses thus far. Their biggest issue is undoubtedly their defense – 36 goals conceded is well over an average of two per match. Seosan are on a five-match losing streak.

Gyeongju are perennial K3 challengers, but not this season. They’re on a miserable run of form, collecting one win in nine. This is a tie that few will be looking forward to.

Prediction: Gyeongju.
What awaits the winner? Chungbuk Cheongju, home.

Match 7: Ulsan FC (K5) vs. Yangpyeong FC (K3)

Ulsan FC joined their two city rivals in the Korea Cup thanks to a big 4-0 win in Songdo.

Yangpyeong’s form is terrible. They extended their winless streak to five matches after a 3-3 draw in Chuncheon. Their only win in 10 came in early May. Yangpyeong don’t score enough goals, and concede too many.

Prediction: Yangpyeong should have enough quality.
What awaits the winner? Hwaseong, away.

Match 8: Pyeongtaek Citizen (K4) vs. Yeoju FC (K3)

Pyeongtaek have no form to speak of, either. They have a single win in 10 matches, sitting 12th, level on points with bottom-placed Seosan. They’ve only recorded two wins, the lowest in the league.

Yeoju are comically inconsistent. Their last three matches have been a win, a loss, and a draw. They have recorded similar results in the past. Their entire record is five wins, five defeats, and six draws.

Prediction: Yeoju.
What awaits the winner? Gyeongnam FC, home.

Match 9: Haman County (K4) vs. Dangjin Citizen (K3)

Haman County might have the coolest name in the First Round, but that’s where the positivity ends. Haman host Dangjin after a pair of 3-1 losses in K4, to sit 11th of 13 teams. They average a goal a game, the joint-worst record in the division.

Dangjin are sixth in K3, but closer to Ulsan in 11th than Busan in fourth. K3, below the top two, is remarkably competitive, with most clubs struggling to put together winning runs. Dangin did enjoy their best win of the season last weekend, putting five past Gangneung.

Prediction: Dangjin should have enough.
What awaits the winner? Yongin FC, away.

Match 10: Namyangju FC (K4) vs. Seoul Jungang (K4)

Namyangju and Seoul are close geographically, and in the table – the visitors are one place, and two points, above their hosts. They’ve also recorded identical results in their last four matches. They played out a thrilling 3-3 draw in April.

Seoul drew 1-1 last weekend, whereas Namyangju drew 2-2.

Prediction: Tough to call. Home advantage to swing it.
What awaits the winner? Gimpo FC, home.

Match 11: Yangcheon TNT (K5) vs. Pyeongchang United (K4)

Yangcheon TNT were the biggest winners of the Pre-Round, destroying Cheongju Show King 9-3 on the road. They represent the best chance of K5 success.

Pyeongchang might be midtable in K4, but they are the hottest team in the division right now. After four straight defeats, Pyeongchang are unbeaten in five, recording four wins.

Prediction: An upset is possible, but unlikely.
What awaits the winner? Suwon FC, away.

Match 12: Changwon FC (K3) vs. Geumsan Ginseng (K4)

Changwon are a tough watch. They grind out results, averaging a goal a game, to sit 5th, and possess easily the weakest goal difference in the top five. But they are difficult opponents, and haven’t experienced defeat since early May.

Geumsan are the best-of-the-rest in K4, losing just three of 15, to sit third. There’s a ghastly 16 point gap to first. In fact, Geumsan are closer to bottom than top. They’ve lost just one of their last eight games.

Prediction: Changwon.
What awaits the winner? Gimhae FC 2008, home.

Match 13: Daejeon Korail (K3) vs. Pocheon Citizen (K3)

Daejeon, in third, host Pocheon, in second, in the best tie of the round by a considerable distance. The gap is just three points, although Daejeon have a better goal difference. Daejeon were riding a six-match winning streak before a draw and a loss. But they have won two since.

Pocheon will host Daejeon three weeks after the cup tie, but without promotion on the table, they could prioritize this fixture. Their last K3 loss came in April, 10 matches ago. Pocheon are the joint-highest goal scorers in K3.

Prediction: Pocheon on penalties.
What awaits the winner? Seongnam FC, away.

Match 14: Incheon Seo-gu (K5) vs. Geoje Citizen (K4)

Incheon beat Aerum 2-1 in the Pre-Round on home soil.

Geoje are ninth in K4, and woefully out of form. They have lost three straight – all by a single goal – to plummet down the table. Despite this, their tally of 26 goals scored is one of the best in the division, and they are one of only five clubs with a positive goal difference.

Prediction: Geoje to snap their losing streak.
What awaits the winner? Busan IPark, away.

Match 15: Jecheon Citizen (K4) vs. FC Gangneung (K3)

Jecheon are fourth in K4 but [a recurring theme] they find goals hard to come by. A total of 16 in 15 matches doesn’t inspire much confidence, but they have only lost three times. Their only defeat in the last six matches was against runaway leaders Jinju.

Gangneung are eight in K3, but that position is overshadowed by a horrendous goal difference of -10. When Gangneung lose, they lose heavily. Last weekend, Dangjin put five past them. Pocheon grabbed three the week before.

Prediction: Jecheon to fly the K4 flag in the next round.
What awaits the winner? Paju Frontier, away.

We will have an in-depth preview for the next round, too.