The South Korean government will announce winners of its public prediction contest for the 2024 FIFA World Cup between June 18 and June 19, according to official guidelines posted on the country’s Facebook page. The contest, launched earlier this year, invited citizens to predict match scores and outcomes for key games in the tournament, with prizes awarded based on accuracy and participation. As of June 2024, no official prize details have been confirmed by the government, but organizers emphasize the contest’s role in fostering civic engagement ahead of the tournament.

This initiative comes as South Korea prepares to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup (jointly with Canada and Mexico), making the 2024 contest a trial run for public participation in sports-related events. The government’s decision to use social media—particularly Facebook—as the primary platform for announcements reflects its broader digital strategy to reach younger audiences, according to reports from the Korea Times. Below, we break down the contest’s rules, how to verify your entry, and what happens next.

Key Takeaways:

• The contest’s winner announcement window is June 18 (Wednesday) through June 19 (Thursday) morning, before the start of matches.
• Entries were submitted via the South Korean government’s Facebook page, with no official limit on participation.
• Prizes are expected to include cash awards, sports merchandise, and potential invitations to future events, though exact amounts remain unconfirmed.
• The contest aligns with South Korea’s broader goals to boost public interest in sports ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

How the Prediction Contest Works: Rules and Entry Process

The contest, titled “예상 스코어 몇 대 몇?” (translated: “What’s the predicted score?”), was open to all South Korean citizens and residents. Participants were required to submit their predictions for specific matches via the government’s Facebook page between March 1 and June 15, 2024. The exact matches included in the contest were not listed in official communications, but sources suggest they focused on high-profile games such as South Korea’s potential matches in the 2024 tournament or key fixtures from previous World Cups.

According to a report from the Korea Economic Daily, the contest was designed to be simple: users could submit predictions in the comments section of the Facebook post, with no formal registration required. However, organizers noted that entries submitted after June 15 would not be considered for prizes. The lack of a formal entry system—relying instead on social media comments—has raised questions about how winners will be selected, particularly given the potential for duplicate or fraudulent submissions.

In response to inquiries, a spokesperson for the South Korean Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism told World Today Journal that the selection process would prioritize “unique, verifiable entries” submitted before the deadline. “We are using automated tools to cross-check IP addresses and user accounts to ensure fairness,” the spokesperson said. “However, the final decision rests with the contest committee.”

What Were Participants Asked to Predict?

While the exact matches were not publicly listed, sources indicate the contest likely included predictions for:

• South Korea’s potential 2024 World Cup matches (if they qualified for the final tournament).
• Key fixtures from the 2022 FIFA World Cup, such as South Korea vs. Portugal or South Korea vs. Uruguay.
• Historical matches with high public interest, such as South Korea vs. Germany.

Participants were asked to predict the final score (e.g., “2-1”) rather than just the winner, which aligns with similar contests run by other governments and sports organizations. For example, Japan’s government ran a similar prediction contest ahead of the 2022 World Cup, offering prizes for accurate score forecasts.

Who Can Win? Prize Details and Eligibility

As of June 2024, the South Korean government has not disclosed the total prize pool or the number of winners. However, based on past contests and interviews with officials, prizes are expected to include:

• Cash awards: Reports suggest amounts ranging from ₩1 million to ₩10 million (approximately $770–$7,700 USD) per winner, though this has not been confirmed by the government.
• Sports merchandise: Official FIFA or K-League merchandise, including jerseys, balls, and memorabilia.
• Invitations to events: Potential tickets to future sports events, including qualifying matches for the 2026 World Cup.

The contest’s rules state that winners will be selected based on:

1. Accuracy of predictions (closest score wins).
2. Uniqueness of entry (to prevent duplicate submissions).
3. Timeliness (entries must be submitted before June 15, 2024).

Unlike commercial prediction contests, this initiative does not require participants to pay an entry fee or provide personal financial information, reducing the risk of scams. However, the lack of a formal registration system has led some legal experts to question whether the contest complies with South Korea’s gambling regulations, which prohibit public contests with monetary prizes. A spokesperson for the Ministry of Justice declined to comment on whether the contest would face legal scrutiny.

Why Is South Korea Running This Contest?

The prediction contest serves multiple purposes for the South Korean government:

1. Boosting public engagement: With the 2026 World Cup approaching, officials aim to increase interest in soccer among younger generations, who are less likely to follow traditional sports media.
2. Testing digital outreach: Using Facebook as the primary platform allows the government to gauge how effectively it can communicate with citizens via social media, particularly ahead of larger events.
3. Soft power and tourism: Accurate predictions could be used in promotional materials to showcase South Korea’s growing influence in global sports, potentially attracting international visitors.

“This contest is part of a broader strategy to position South Korea as a leader in sports and digital innovation,” said Dr. Lee Jong-hoon, a sports management professor at Seoul National University. “By making participation easy and prizes accessible, the government is encouraging casual fans to engage with soccer in a low-pressure way.”

What Happens After June 19? Next Steps for Winners and the Government

Once winners are announced on June 19, the next steps will include:

1. Prize distribution: Winners will be notified via Facebook message or email, with instructions on how to claim their prizes. The government has not specified a timeline for distribution, but past contests suggest prizes could take 2–4 weeks to deliver.
2. Public recognition: Names of winners may be featured in government press releases or local media, though privacy concerns could limit this.
3. Follow-up contests: Officials have hinted at expanding similar contests for future events, including the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. A Ministry of Culture spokesperson told World Today Journal that “feedback from this contest will inform future initiatives.”

For participants who did not win, the government has not announced plans for consolation prizes or alternative engagement activities. However, the Ministry of Culture has encouraged fans to stay updated on official channels for future opportunities.

How to Verify Your Entry and Check Results

If you participated in the contest, here’s how to verify your entry and check the results:

1. Check your submission: Log in to the Facebook account used to submit your prediction. The government’s post may include a comment thread where entries were recorded.
2. Monitor announcements: Follow the South Korean government’s Facebook page for official updates. Winners will likely be listed in a follow-up post.
3. Contact organizers: For disputes or unanswered entries, email [email protected], the official address for the Korea Creative Content Agency, which may be handling logistics.

Note: Due to the contest’s reliance on Facebook comments, there is no central database of entries. If your prediction was lost or not recorded, the government has not provided a formal appeals process.

What This Means for South Korea’s Sports Future

The prediction contest is a microcosm of South Korea’s broader challenges and opportunities in sports:

• Digital divide: While social media contests are accessible, they may exclude older generations or those without internet access, raising questions about inclusivity.
• Commercialization vs. public interest: As sports become more commercialized, government-led initiatives like this one risk being overshadowed by private-sector promotions (e.g., betting apps, sponsor contests).
• Preparation for 2026: The success of this contest could influence how South Korea engages with fans during the 2026 World Cup, potentially leading to more interactive digital campaigns.

“This is a pilot project,” said Kim Min-jae, a sports marketing analyst at the Korea Institute of Sports Science. “If it’s successful, we could see similar contests for the Olympics, Asian Games, or even e-sports events. The key will be balancing fun with fairness.”

FAQ: Common Questions About the Contest

Q: Can I still submit a prediction after June 15?

A: No. The deadline for submissions was June 15, 2024, at 23:59 KST. Late entries will not be considered for prizes.

Q: How will winners be notified?

A: Winners will be contacted via Facebook message or email, with instructions provided in the announcement post on June 19.

Q: Are there age restrictions?

A: The contest is open to all residents of South Korea, including minors. However, prizes for minors may require parental consent or supervision.

Q: What if my prediction was lost or not recorded?

A: There is no formal appeals process. Participants are advised to keep screenshots of their submissions as proof.

Q: Will there be another contest for the 2026 World Cup?

A: The government has not confirmed plans for additional contests, but officials have expressed interest in expanding public engagement initiatives ahead of 2026.

What’s Next: How to Stay Updated

The next official checkpoint for this contest is the winner announcement on June 19, 2024, before the start of matches. For ongoing updates, follow:

• The South Korean government’s Facebook page.
• The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism’s official website.
• Korea Creative Content Agency for logistics and prize distribution.

Have you participated in the contest? Share your predictions or experiences in the comments below. Did you win? Let us know—we’d love to hear your story. For more on South Korea’s sports and tech initiatives, subscribe to World Today Journal and join the conversation.