Seoul: South Korea released their 26-man squad for the upcoming FIFA World Cup, with longtime captain Son Heung-min headed to his fourth and possibly final appearance at the sport's showpiece event.
According to Yonhap News Agency, head coach Hong Myung-bo unveiled his team bound for the June 11-July 19 World Cup at a press conference in Seoul. The squad comprises three forwards, 10 midfielders, 10 defenders, and three goalkeepers. South Korea will compete in Group A against Czechia, South Africa, and Mexico, one of the co-hosts alongside Canada and the United States. Son, currently with Los Angeles Football Club, will become only the fourth South Korean to appear in four World Cup tournaments, joining Hong, former forward Hwang Sun-hong, and ex-goalkeeper Lee Woon-jae.
Notable selections include Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Lee Kang-in and Bayern Munich defender Kim Min-jae, both of whom played at the 2022 tournament in Qatar. Besiktas forward Oh Hyeon-gyu made his first World Cup squad after being a reserve in 2022. Hwang In-beom of Feyenoord was also called up as he recovers from an ankle injury.
Jens Castrop of Borussia Monchengladbach, born to a Korean mother and a German father, is the first player of mixed heritage born outside South Korea to be named to a South Korean World Cup squad. Gangwon FC defender Lee Gi-hyuk is a surprise choice, having earned just one cap so far.
In goal, veterans Jo Hyeon-woo of Ulsan HD FC and Kim Seung-gyu of FC Tokyo return, with Kim being the most senior player at 35. Of the 26 players, 13 have earned their first World Cup call-ups, with Castrop and Stoke City FC midfielder Bae Jun-ho being the youngest members at 22.
At the press conference, Hong highlighted the unique nature of this year's World Cup, which will be played across three countries for the first time, emphasizing the importance of adapting to different variables, such as extensive traveling and diverse climates.
"We will try to turn these challenges into opportunities to pull off surprises," Hong stated, expressing confidence in his players' experience and abilities. He also named three reserves as "training partners": Jeonbuk midfielder Kang Sang-yoon, Jeonbuk defender Cho Wi-je, and FC Seoul goalkeeper Yoon Ki-wook, aiming to provide valuable experience for their development.
South Korea, playing in their 11th consecutive World Cup, will open against Czechia at Guadalajara Stadium on June 11, followed by matches against Mexico and South Africa. The tournament will feature 48 nations, with the top two teams from each of the 12 groups and the eight best third-place nations advancing to the knockout stage.
Hong and the domestic K League players will travel to Salt Lake City for pre-World Cup training, with friendlies against Trinidad and Tobago and El Salvador scheduled before heading to Mexico.