Final Roster Announcement for World Cup Approaches: Will Hong Myung-bo Surprise Us?

South Korea national team coach Hong Myung-bo watches training at Ernst Happel Stadium ahead of the match against Austria. [Photo=Yonhap News]

The final roster announcement for the South Korean national team, led by coach Hong Myung-bo, is imminent as they prepare for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North and Central America. There is growing anticipation about whether a surprising selection will emerge ahead of the tournament.

Coach Hong will unveil the 26-man roster on June 16 at the KT Gwanghwamun Building in Jongno, Seoul.

Since taking charge of the national team in 2024, Hong has reportedly finalized over 80% of the squad that will compete in the World Cup through Asian qualifiers and various friendly matches. Key players such as captain Son Heung-min (Los Angeles FC), Lee Kang-in (Paris Saint-Germain), Kim Min-jae (Bayern Munich), and Lee Jae-sung (Mainz) are expected to be included.

The remaining question is which new faces will fill the gaps. Historically, South Korean football has seen surprising selections just before the World Cup, injecting energy and competition into the squad. In the 2018 Russia tournament, Lee Seung-woo (then of Hellas Verona) made the final roster despite lacking international match experience, while in the 2022 Qatar tournament, promising player Oh Hyun-kyu (then of Suwon Samsung) joined as the 27th reserve player.

As the roster announcement approaches, the position most likely to see a surprise selection is the defense. The absence of key central defender Kim Joo-sung (Sanfrecce Hiroshima), who suffered a knee injury during the March international break, has created a need for replacements.

Young talents such as Jo Wi-je (Jeonbuk) and Lee Gi-hyeok (Gangwon FC) have emerged in the K League 1. Additionally, potential wing-back options include Jo Hyun-taek (Ulsan Hyundai), Choi Jun (FC Seoul), and Kim Ryun-sung (Jeju United).

Jens Castro, a mixed-race player performing as a wing-back for Borussia Mönchengladbach in the Bundesliga, is also a player to watch. He has scored three goals and provided one assist in 26 league matches this season. If selected, Castro would become the first foreign-born mixed-race player to compete in a World Cup for South Korea.

Lee Seung-woo of Jeonbuk celebrates after scoring against Gwangju FC in the K League 1 match. [Photo=Yonhap News]

In the attacking line, Lee Seung-woo (Jeonbuk Hyundai) is once again drawing attention. He has scored three goals and provided one assist this season, showcasing his ability to change the game's momentum. Kim Dae-won (Gangwon) is also a candidate, having contributed three goals and two assists in his last five matches. However, he faces stiff competition for starting positions in the midfield.

After the final roster is announced, Hong's team will depart for Salt Lake City, Utah, via Incheon International Airport on June 18 for a two-week training camp. This is part of their preparation to adapt to the high-altitude conditions in Mexico, where the group stage matches will be held. Overseas players will join the team as soon as they finish their club commitments.

While in Salt Lake City, Hong's team will play two friendly matches against Trinidad and Tobago on June 31 and El Salvador on June 4, both at 10 a.m. (Korean time), as they finalize their preparations. They will submit their final 26-man roster to FIFA on June 1 and arrive at their base camp in Guadalajara, Mexico, on June 5.

South Korea will kick off its group stage matches in Group A against the Czech Republic on June 12, followed by matches against host nation Mexico on June 19 and South Africa on June 25.

* This article has been translated by AI.

Kang Sang Heon ksh@ajunews.com