Korea Republic have announced their 26-man squad for the FIFA World Cup 2026™.
Coach Hong Myungbo has selected a host of experienced names, including record appearance-maker Son Heungmin, Bayern Munich defender Kim Minjae and Mainz’s Lee Jaesung. Lee Kihyuk, whose only cap to date came in 2022, has been recalled following a stellar season for Gangwon.
Korea Republic World Cup squad
Goalkeepers
Song Bumkeun (Jeonbuk)
Jo Hyeonwoo (Ulsan)
Kim Seung-gyu (FC Tokyo)
Defenders
Jens Castrop (Borussia Monchengladbach)
Lee Hanbeom (Midtjylland)
Park Jinseob (Zhejiang FC)
Lee Kihyuk (Gangwon)
Kim Minjae (Bayern Munich)
Kim Moonhwan (Daejeon)
Kim Taehyeon (Kashima Antlers)
Lee Taeseok (Austria Wien)
Seol Youngwoo (Crvena Zvezda)
Cho Yumin (Sharjah)
Midfielders
Lee Donggyeong (Ulsan)
Hwang Heechan (Wolves)
Yang Hyunjun (Celtic)
Hwang Inbeom (Feyenoord)
Lee Jaesung (FSV Mainz)
Kim Jingyu (Jeonbuk)
Eom Jisung (Swansea)
Bae Junho (Stoke)
Lee Kangin (PSG)
Paik Seungho (Birmingham)
Forwards
Cho Guesung (Midtjylland)
Son Heungmin (LAFC)
Oh Hyeongyu (Besiktas)
All squads are provisional until the final list of 26 players is announced by FIFA, following their submission by participating teams, on 2 June.
Son set for fourth World Cup
Korea Republic’s legendary captain Son first played on global soil at Brazil 2014, where the 21-year-old Bayer Leverkusen forward played in all three of their matches and scored in the 4-2 defeat to Algeria.
Four years later he contributed one of Russia 2018’s most iconic moments. With the Taegeuk Warriors already a goal up against reigning champions Germany, and Manuel Neuer out of his goal in a desperate search for a leveller, Son raced on to a huge clearance by Ju Sejong and tapped home to secure the nation a famous victory.
At Qatar 2022, Son’s first as captain, Korea Republic seemed set to be heading home after taking one point from their first two group matches, until the man with the armband took control. With their bout against Portugal level at one apiece in added time, Son carried the ball from inside his own half and slipped through Hwang Heechan to net the winner. Despite not leading any of their group matches during regulation time, that goal saw Korea Republic make the last 16 where they were defeated by Brazil.
