Son Heung-min Named to South Korea's 2026 World Cup Roster

South Korea's national soccer team coach Hong Myung-bo answers questions from reporters upon returning to Incheon International Airport after two international friendlies in Europe ahead of the 2026 World Cup. 2026.4.2 [Photo=Yonhap News]

South Korea's national soccer team coach Hong Myung-bo announced the 26-player roster for the upcoming 2026 World Cup on May 16. The announcement took place at the KT Gwanghwamun Building in Seoul and included star player Son Heung-min of LAFC, along with three reserve players.
This will be Son's fourth World Cup appearance, following previous tournaments in Brazil in 2014, Russia in 2018, and Qatar in 2022. He is joined by key European players such as Lee Kang-in (Paris Saint-Germain), Kim Min-jae (Bayern Munich), and Lee Jae-sung (Mainz).
Jens Castrop (Borussia Mönchengladbach), a dual-national player, has made history as the first foreign-born player to be included in South Korea's World Cup squad.
The selection of defender Lee Gi-hyeok from Gangwon FC also stands out. Although he has only one previous cap from the 2022 East Asian Cup against Hong Kong, he has made the final roster, filling in for the injured Kim Joo-sung (Hiroshima).
Three young prospects, Kang Sang-yoon and Jo Wi-je (both Jeonbuk), along with 19-year-old goalkeeper Yoon Gi-wook (Seoul), will join the team as training partners.
The national team will depart for a pre-camp in Salt Lake City, Utah, via Incheon International Airport on May 18. Overseas players, including Son, are expected to join the team directly upon arrival.
During their time in the U.S., the team will play friendly matches against Trinidad and Tobago and El Salvador before moving to their base camp in Guadalajara, Mexico, on June 5.
In the group stage, South Korea will face the Czech Republic, Mexico, and South Africa in succession.

* This article has been translated by AI.

SoHee Baek