Cho played in the most part of the matches in preparation to the 2006 World Cup and he also featured in South Korea's first match of the 2007 AFC Asian Cup qualification (a 1-2 away win against Syria). Despite this and despite being selected by Advocaat in the 23-men squad heading to Germany, he ended up not making a single appearance in the world tournament, with his side being eliminated in the group stage and their manager resigning just a few moments after.