Kuwait City: South Korea head coach Hong Myung-bo announced on Wednesday that a decision has yet to be made regarding the participation of team captain Son Heung-min in the upcoming World Cup qualifying match against Kuwait. Son, a key player for Tottenham Hotspur, is returning from an extended injury hiatus. According to Yonhap News Agency, South Korea, ranked 22nd in the world, will take on 135th-ranked Kuwait in their fifth Group B match in the third round of the Asian qualification tournament for the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Thursday. The match is scheduled to commence at Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium in Kuwait City at 5 p.m. local time, or 11 p.m. in Seoul. Son has rejoined the national team after missing the previous two World Cup qualifiers in October due to a hamstring injury. During his absence, South Korea secured victories against Jordan and Iraq. The injury occurred during a UEFA Europa League match on September 26. Son made his return on October 19 in a Premier League game against West Ham United, scoring a goal, but missed two subsequent matches due to ongoing issues. He returned to play on November 3 against Aston Villa. In his recent matches, Son was substituted off early in a game against Aston Villa and played only the first half in Tottenham's loss to Galatasaray in the Europa League. He completed a full match for the first time since his injury against Ipswich Town on Sunday. During a pre-match press conference on Tuesday, Hong stated that he was not ready to confirm Son's participation in the Kuwait match, although Son reported no health issues upon joining the team. Hong noted that Son arrived at the camp a day later than other players and focused on recovery. A final decision regarding Son's availability will be made after assessing his condition following the training session. Midfielder Hwang In-beom emphasized the impact of Son's presence on the national team. Hwang, who plays for Feyenoord, acknowledged the importance of having an experienced player like Son, while also highlig hting the team's ability to perform well in his absence. South Korea currently leads their group with 10 points from three wins and a draw, having scored eight goals and conceded three. They have won three consecutive matches since a goalless draw against Palestine on September 5. A win against Kuwait would move South Korea closer to securing their 11th consecutive World Cup appearance. The match against Kuwait marks the first of two away games for South Korea this month. They will play against Palestine next Tuesday in Amman, as Palestine's home matches have been relocated due to the Israel-Hamas conflict. Hong stressed the importance of maintaining focus and a strong mindset for these challenging away fixtures.