Injury-stricken Hwang Hee-chan adds to South Korea's woes ahead of World Cup

by Lee Keon-hee Posted : February 11, 2026, 14:06Updated : February 11, 2026, 14:11
AFP-Yonhap
Wolverhampton Wanderers' striker Hwang Hee-chan clears the ball past Chelsea's defender Marc Cucurella at a home match in Wolverhampton, central England on Feb. 7, 2026. AFP-Yonhap
SEOUL, February 11 (AJP) - Striker Hwang Hee-chan has been sidelined for several weeks due to a calf injury, according to his club Wolverhampton Wanderers.

"Channy [Hwang] is out and it'll be a few weeks. It's his calf. We'll rescan again a couple of weeks and see where he's at," manager Rob Edwards told reporters on Tuesday, days ahead of their away match against Nottingham Forest in the English Premier League.

Hwang started the club's home match against Chelsea last weekend but was replaced in the 43rd minute due to pain in his calf.

His injury is bad news for the Wanderers and also raises concerns for the national team ahead of this year's World Cup in North America, which kicks off in June.

Hwang suffered a similar calf injury last October that kept him out for several weeks.