When the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off across the United States, Mexico, and Canada, all eyes will be on one man: Son Heung-min. The veteran star and South Korea's all-time leading goal-scorer has been named to lead the Taeguk Warriors' campaign, marking his fourth World Cup appearance. After a legendary decade at Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League, Son made a high-profile move to LAFC in Major League Soccer last summer—bringing his world-class pace and finishing to a new continent just in time for the global stage.
South Korea's 26-man squad, announced by head coach Hong Myung-bo on Saturday, continues the nation's remarkable streak of 11 consecutive World Cup appearances dating back to 1986. Joining Son are familiar faces like Paris Saint-Germain's creative midfielder Lee Kang-in and Bayern Munich's rock-solid defender Kim Min-jae. There's also a notable inclusion: Feyenoord's influential midfielder Hwang In-beom, who made the cut despite battling an ankle injury—a testament to his importance in the squad's engine room.
Hong, who captained South Korea to their historic semifinal run in 2002 and later managed the team in 2014, set a clear tone for the tournament. "Our primary goal is to reach the round of 32," he stated in Seoul. "We do not know what will happen after that. We could go even further than we could have imagined." It's a grounded yet ambitious approach, especially considering Korea's recent success—they reached the last 16 in 2022 after a dramatic victory over Portugal, only to fall to five-time champion Brazil.
The road ahead won't be easy. South Korea will play all three Group A matches in Mexico, starting with a tough opener against the Czech Republic on June 11, followed by a clash with host nation Mexico on June 18, and wrapping up against South Africa on June 24. Recent form has been concerning—a 4-0 loss to Ivory Coast and a 1-0 defeat to Austria in March have raised questions. But with a squad packed with European and MLS talent, and a leader like Son ready to inspire, the Taeguk Warriors are determined to write a new chapter.
Preparation begins Monday in Salt Lake City, where the team will face Trinidad and Tobago and El Salvador in final warm-up matches. Whether you're backing Son's golden touch or Kim Min-jae's defensive steel, one thing is certain: South Korea's World Cup journey is set to be a thrilling ride.