Seoul, August 26 – South Korea’s national men’s football team coach Hong Myung-bo unveiled a 26-man squad on Friday for the upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifiers in September. The announcement was made at the Football Association Hall in Jongno-gu, Seoul.
The squad will compete in two crucial matches in the third round of the Asian qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. South Korea will face Palestine and Oman in these matches, marking the first international fixtures under Coach Hong’s tenure since he took charge last month.
Hong has adopted a strategy of stability with a touch of innovation in selecting the players. Notable inclusions are established stars such as Son Heung-min from Tottenham Hotspur, Hwang Hee-chan of Wolverhampton Wanderers, Lee Kang-in from Paris Saint-Germain, and Kim Min-jae, who recently joined Bayern Munich.
Four players make their maiden appearances in the national team: 18-year-old rising star Yang Min-geol from Gangwon FC, 27-year-old midfielder Hwang Un-ki, defender Lee Han-beom from FC Midtjylland, and Cho Yoo-jin from Incheon United. Yang Min-geol, in particular, is set to join Tottenham Hotspur in January, where he will become a teammate of Son Heung-min.
The full squad consists of goalkeepers Cho Hyun-woo, Song Bum-keun, and Kim Jun-hong; defenders Kim Min-jae, Kwon Kyung-won, Kim Young-gwon, Lee Min-sung, Jeong Ho-jung, Lee Han-beom, Hwang Un-ki, Kim Moon-hwan, Cho Yoo-jin; midfielders Son Heung-min, Lee Kang-in, Hwang Hee-chan, Lee Jae-sung, Hwang In-beom, Park Seung-yu, Jung Ho-yun, Jeong Ho-yeon, Yang Min-geol, Yoon Seok-yeol; and forwards Cho Gue-sung and Oh Se-hun.
The team will assemble at the Goyang Sports Complex on September 2 to begin preparations for the match against Palestine.
South Korea, with a rich footballing history and a strong FIFA World Cup record, is expected to face stiff competition in the Asian qualifiers. Coach Hong’s selection reflects a blend of experience and youth, as the team gears up to secure a spot in the global showcase.
Hong’s appointment comes at a critical juncture, with the team looking to build on past successes and qualify for their 11th consecutive FIFA World Cup. The matches against Palestine and Oman will be crucial in setting the tone for the remainder of the qualification campaign.
The inclusion of young talents like Yang Min-geol and Hwang Un-ki adds an exciting dynamic to the squad, while the experience of seasoned players like Son Heung-min will be instrumental in guiding the team through the challenges ahead.
As the team gears up for these crucial encounters, fans and critics alike will be watching closely to see how Coach Hong’s vision translates on the pitch. The September fixtures promise to be a significant test for the South Korean national team, as they seek to qualify for another edition of the world’s most prestigious football tournament.
Stay tuned for updates on the team’s progress as they embark on this important journey towards the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
【source】https://cn.yna.co.kr/view/ACK20240826002900881?section=culture-sports/index&input=rss
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