Son Heung-min, the iconic former Tottenham Hotspur striker, is set to lead South Korea as captain in what will be his fourth World Cup appearance this summer. At 33, the veteran forward brings a wealth of experience to the squad after leaving Spurs last year to join Major League Soccer side Los Angeles FC. His leadership and goal-scoring prowess will be crucial as the Taeguk Warriors aim to make a deep run in the tournament.
South Korea kicks off their Group A campaign against the Czech Republic on June 12 in Guadalajara, followed by a high-stakes clash against co-hosts Mexico on June 19 in the same city. They'll wrap up group play against South Africa on June 25 in Monterrey. With a mix of seasoned stars and emerging talent, the squad is poised for a competitive showing.
Coach Hong Myung-bo has assembled an experienced roster, featuring Wolves forward Hwang Hee-chan and a British-based contingent that includes Stoke City's Bae Jun-ho, Birmingham's Paik Seung-ho, Celtic's Yang Hyun-jun, and Swansea's Eom Ji-sung. Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Lee Kang-in and Bayern Munich defender Kim Min-jae add top-tier European pedigree, while Borussia Mönchengladbach's Jens Castrop makes history as the first dual-heritage player to earn a South Korea World Cup call-up. Castrop, who has a German father and Korean mother, previously played for Germany at youth levels but switched allegiances last year, earning five caps for his adopted nation.
The full 26-man squad blends youth and experience across all positions. Goalkeepers include Jo Hyeon-woo, Kim Seung-gyu, and Song Bum-keun. The defensive line features Kim Min-jae, Castrop, and a host of versatile options like Seol Young-woo and Lee Ki-hyuk. Midfield is packed with creative talent, from Lee Kang-in to Hwang In-beom, while the attack is headlined by Son, alongside Oh Hyeon-gyu and Cho Gue-sung. As the World Cup approaches, all eyes will be on Son to inspire a nation hungry for glory on the global stage.