KOR
FIFA WORLD CUP 2026 · GROUP A · POT 2

South Korea
World Cup 26-man squad

Manager Hong Myung-bo · A legendary defender who led Korea to fourth place as captain at the 2002 home World Cup. Appointed Korea's 75th manager in July 2024 — experiencing the World Cup as both player and head coach.
MD1 Jun 11 vs Czechia MD2 Jun 18 vs Mexico MD3 Jun 24 vs South Africa
11th World Cup appearance · best finish: Fourth place (2002)
26
Squad size
27.5
Avg. age
19 / 26
Overseas-based
12 / 14
WC veterans / Debutants
TEAM STORY

Hong Myung-bo's South Korea announced their 26-man squad on May 16. Captain Son Heung-min leads a 15-strong European contingent spread across nine leagues, alongside K League players — confirming an 11th straight (12th overall) World Cup appearance.

Kim Min-jae anchors the defence at Bayern, with Feyenoord's Hwang In-beom holding midfield, PSG's Lee Kang-in providing creativity, and Wolves' Hwang Hee-chan plus LA FC's Son driving a vertical counter-attacking style. 22-year-old Jens Castrop draws attention as 'the first dual-heritage player in Korean World Cup history'.

Group A features Mexico, Czechia and South Africa. Two of three matches will be played in Guadalajara at 1,500m altitude — making condition management vital. Korea targets a knockout berth (after 2022) and ideally a deep run not seen since 2002.

PREDICTED XI

LIKELY 4-3-3.

Hong Myung-bo's preferred 4-3-3. Kim Min-jae anchors the back line, Hwang In-beom sits as the No.6, with Lee Jae-sung and Lee Kang-in as 8s. Son leads the line with Hwang Hee-chan on the wing.

4-3-3 (predicted)
KEY PLAYERS

KEY PLAYERS.

The five players who set the tone in the group stage — by role and trait.

7
ST · FW
Son Heung-min
Los Angeles FC · 33
142 caps · 54G WC: 2014, 2018, 2022
Captain & talisman
CAPTAIN
19
CAM · MF
Lee Kang-in
Paris Saint-Germain · 25 · Ligue 1
46 caps · 11G WC: 2022
Creative hub
ACE
4
CB · DF
Kim Min-jae
Bayern Munich · 29 · Bundesliga
77 caps · 4G WC: 2022
Defensive cornerstone
6
CDM · MF
Hwang In-beom
Feyenoord · 29 · Eredivisie
71 caps · 6G WC: 2022
Midfield anchor
11
ST · MF
Hwang Hee-chan
Wolverhampton Wanderers · 30
77 caps · 16G WC: 2018, 2022
Wing dynamo
SQUAD

SQUAD 26.

GK GOALKEEPERS 3
DF DEFENDERS 10
MF MIDFIELDERS 10
FW FORWARDS 3
GROUP A

GROUP A.

MEX
Mexico
POT 1
RSA
South Africa
POT 2
KOR
South Korea
POT 2
CZE
Czechia
POT 4
Thu, Jun 11
Czechia vs South Korea
Estadio Guadalajara · Guadalajara
Group A opener. Containing Czechia's vertical threat through Patrik Schick falls on the Kim Min-jae / Kim Tae-hyeon partnership.
View lineups →
MD1
Thu, Jun 18
Mexico vs South Korea
Estadio Guadalajara · Guadalajara
A blockbuster against hosts Mexico at 1,500m altitude in Guadalajara. Korea must absorb pressure and strike on the break through Son and Hwang Hee-chan.
View lineups →
MD2
Wed, Jun 24
South Africa vs South Korea
Estadio Monterrey · Monterrey
Group decider. Cracking South Africa's organised block tests Lee Kang-in's creativity and Son's clinical edge.
View lineups →
MD3

Road to the final

Spoiler-free: the potential bracket route by final group position. No results shown.

Win Group A
  1. Round of 32 Jun 30 · Mexico City vs 3rd place (C/E/F/H/I)
  2. Round of 16 Jul 05 · Mexico City vs Winner of Match 80
  3. Quarter-finals Jul 11 · Miami Gardens vs Winner of Match 91
  4. Semi-finals Jul 15 · Atlanta vs Winner of Match 100
  5. Final Jul 19 · East Rutherford vs Winner of Match 101
Runners-up, Group A
  1. Round of 32 Jun 28 · Inglewood vs Runners-up Group B
  2. Round of 16 Jul 04 · Houston vs Winner of Match 75
  3. Quarter-finals Jul 09 · Foxborough vs Winner of Match 89
  4. Semi-finals Jul 14 · Arlington vs Winner of Match 98
  5. Final Jul 19 · East Rutherford vs Winner of Match 102
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