Son Heung-min off to 4th World Cup as S. Korean squad released
South Korea released their 26-man squad for the upcoming FIFA World Cup on Saturday, with longtime captain Son Heung-min headed to his fourth and possibly final appearance at the sport's showpiece event.
Head coach Hong Myung-bo unveiled his team bound for the June 11-July 19 World Cup at a press conference in Seoul, carrying three forwards, 10 midfielders, 10 defenders and three goalkeepers.
South Korea will play in Group A against Czechia, South Africa and Mexico, one of three co-host countries alongside Canada and the United States.
Once Son, now of Los Angeles Football Club, takes the field next month, the 33-year-old will become only the fourth South Korean to appear in four World Cup tournaments, joining Hong, former forward Hwang Sun-hong and ex-goalkeeper Lee Woon-jae.
Other no-brainer choices include Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Lee Kang-in and Bayern Munich defender Kim Min-jae, both of whom also played at the 2022 tournament in Qatar.
Besiktas forward Oh Hyeon-gyu made his first World Cup squad.
He was a reserve at the 2022 tournament as a potential replacement for Son, who
Son Heung-min leads World Cup squad
- Son Heung-min to lead South Korea squad at his fourth World Cup Punch —
- German-born Castrop makes South Korea squad for World Cup The Straits Times —
- Veteran star Son Heung-min will lead South Korea’s World Cup campaign Associated Press —
- South Korea name World Cup squad: Jens Castrop call-up makes history The New York Times —
- South Korea captain Son picked for fourth World Cup BBC Sport —