Seoul: South Korea's national soccer team head coach, Hong Myung-bo, has announced plans to utilize the team's final qualifying match as an opportunity to test young and unproven players. Having already secured a spot in the 2026 World Cup, the team's focus has shifted towards preparing for the tournament by evaluating emerging talents.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Hong and his team returned to a warm reception at Incheon International Airport after defeating Iraq 2-0 in Basra, which confirmed their participation in their 11th consecutive World Cup. South Korea is set to face Kuwait in Seoul, marking the conclusion of Group B play in the third round of the Asian qualifiers. Despite the match being of little consequence in terms of qualification, Hong views it as a crucial moment to observe the potential of inexperienced players in a national team environment.
Hong highlighted the importance of the upcoming match, emphasizing the limited opportunities to assess young players in competitive settings. The current squad includes seven players born in the 2000s and 14 with fewer than 10 international caps. Debutants Cho Hyun-taek and Jeon Jin-woo were part of the recent victory in Iraq.
The coach is keen on experimenting with young talents in both defensive and offensive positions. He plans to discuss strategies with his staff to maximize this opportunity, with an eye on the World Cup preparations. Following the Kuwait match, Hong will attend the FIFA Club World Cup in the United States, where his former team, Ulsan HD FC, represents South Korea. The team will also participate in the East Asian Football Federation E-1 Championship in July and play friendlies against the U.S. and Mexico in September.
Hong suggested he might select a broader range of players for the EAFF tournament, traditionally featuring domestic K League players, to enhance competitiveness for the World Cup. He also indicated that Son Heung-min, who was absent from the Iraq squad due to a foot injury, might not play against Kuwait. Hong expressed caution regarding Son's recovery, emphasizing the player's health and readiness for future challenges.
Finally, Hong expressed gratitude to the South Korean fans who supported the team despite the match's early kickoff time and acknowledged the efforts of the South Korean Embassy in Iraq in ensuring the team's safety. The team will resume training following a brief rest period.