South Korea FIFA World Cup 2026 Preview: Player to watch out for, tactics, playing XI

South Korea’s tournament could depend on how quickly the country moves into Group A. The first match against the Czech Republic is not the glamor event of the group, but could be the most important. Win that and Hong Myung-bo’s side can approach Mexico with confidence. If you lose it, the pressure changes sharply for a demanding meeting with the co-host.

Korea has enough individual quality to reach the round of 32. Son Heung-min remains the obvious reference point, but the team is not built around him alone. Lee Kang-in provides creativity, Hwang Hee-chan provides direct running and Kim Min-jae provides the defense with a strong foundation. Jens Castrop’s participation has also added a new storyline, with the German-born midfielder becoming part of Korea’s World Cup squad.

However, the construction did not go completely smoothly. There were concerns about the fitness of key players and defender Cho Yu-min was left off late due to a foot injury, necessitating a change in the squad. Korea will have to deal with this disruption quickly.

The final group match against South Africa in Monterrey could be decisive. Korea should be strong enough to challenge for second place, but it cannot afford a slow start. In a group where Mexico carries the burden and the Czech Republic brings structure, Korea’s ability to manage transitions could determine its fate.

Player to watch out for:

Son Heung-min may no longer be at his physical peak, but he remains the Republic of Korea’s most decisive footballer. His finishing, leadership and ability to attack space make him central to knockout hopes, especially in tight matches against the Czech Republic and Mexico.

Manager:

Hong Myung-bo knows the weight of World Cup expectations better than most players in Korean football. As a coach, his job is to give Korea more control without losing their transition threat. The late defensive disruption makes his organization of the backline even more important.

Team

• Goalkeepers: Kim Seung-gyu, Song Bum-keun, Jo Hyeon-woo
• Defenders: Kim Moon-hwan, Kim Min-jae, Kim Tae-hyeon, Park Jin-seop, Seol Young-woo, Jens Castrop, Lee Ki-hyeok, Lee Tae-seok, Lee Han-beom, Cho Wi-je
• Midfielders: Kim Jin-gyu, Bae Jun-ho, Paik Seung-ho, Yang Hyun-jun, Eom Ji-sung, Lee Kang-in, Lee Dong-gyeong, Lee Jae-sung, Hwang In-beom, Hwang Hee-chan
• Forward: Son Heung-min, Oh Hyeon-gyu, Cho Gue-sung

Published on June 3, 2026