Khabor Wala Desk
Published: 17th May 2026, 2:45 PM
South Korea have announced their squad for the upcoming FIFA World Cup, with Son Heung-min appointed as captain. This will be his fourth World Cup appearance, having first featured in the tournament in 2014.
Son Heung-min, who currently leads the national side, continues in the captaincy role as South Korea prepare for another major international campaign. The squad has been selected by head coach Hong Myung-bo, who has included a blend of experienced internationals and emerging talents across all departments.
Among the notable inclusions are Bayern Munich defender Kim Min-jae and Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Lee Kang-in. Both players have been active at the highest level of European club football and are expected to play key roles in the team’s structure. Hwang In-beom, a Feyenoord midfielder currently dealing with an ankle injury, has also been named in the squad.
South Korea are placed in Group A of the World Cup. All their group-stage matches will be played in Mexico. Their campaign begins on 11 June against the Czech Republic, followed by a match against Mexico one week later. The final group fixture is scheduled for 24 June against South Africa.
| Category | Players |
|---|---|
| Goalkeepers | Jo Hyeon-woo, Kim Seung-gyu, Song Bum-keun |
| Defenders | Kim Min-jae, Cho Yu-min, Lee Han-beom, Kim Tae-hyun, Park Jin-seob, Lee Gi-hyuk, Lee Tae-seok, Seol Young-woo, Jens Castrop, Kim Moon-hwan |
| Midfielders | Yang Hyun-jun, Paik Seung-ho, Hwang In-beom, Kim Jin-gyu, Bae Jun-ho, Eom Ji-sung, Hwang Hee-chan, Lee Dong-gyeong, Lee Jae-sung, Lee Kang-in |
| Forwards | Oh Hyeon-gyu, Son Heung-min, Cho Gue-sung |
Son’s leadership remains central to South Korea’s tactical framework as they enter another World Cup cycle with a squad featuring a significant number of Europe-based players. The defensive line is reinforced by Kim Min-jae’s presence, while creativity in midfield is expected to be supported by Lee Kang-in and Lee Jae-sung.
The selection reflects continuity from previous international competitions, with several players maintaining their places while others have been integrated into the squad following domestic and international performances. South Korea’s group-stage schedule in Mexico will determine their progression in the tournament, with three matches set within a compact fixture window.
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