The South Korea World Cup 2026 squad is taking shape after the last round of friendlies before the final squad is named.
The Taegeuk Warriors have qualified for every tournament since 1986, with a fourth-place finish in 2002 – which they co-hosted – their best finish in that time.
Across qualifying for the 2026 World Cup they went unbeaten, with six wins and four draws – meaning they secured their place in Canada, Mexico and the United States in the third round. They won't be among the favourites but will likely have one of the most in-form squads in the tournament.
South Korea have progressed to the knockout rounds of the World Cup just twice since their remarkable run in 2002, reaching the round of 16 in 2010 and 2022.
It could be a final tournament for Son Heung-min, who is now classed as their best-ever player, meaning there's extra pressure on the squad to give him a deserved send-off.
Son now plays in MLS so he'll be playing regularly in the lead up to the tournament, potentially a strategic move to ensure he's at the top of his game heading into tournament.
Kim Min-jae and Lee Kang-in are both playing regularly for Bayern Munich and PSG, meaning there's a bit of quality through the squad, something that could help them recapture the spirit of 2002 and carry them through the tournament.
Squad
South Korea World Cup 2026 squad: The March selection
- GK: Kim Seung-gyu (FC Tokyo)
- GK: Song Bum-keun (Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors)
- GK: Jo Hyeon-woo (Ulsan HD)
- DF: Lee Han-beom (Midtjylland)
- DF: Kim Ju-sung (Sanfrecce Hiroshima)
- DF: Kim Min-jae (Bayern Munich)
- DF: Lee Tae-seok (Austria Wien)
- DF: Cho Yu-min (Sharjah)
- DF: Kim Moon-hwan (Daejeon Hana Citizen)
- DF: Seol Young-woo (Red Star Belgrade)
- DF: Kim Tae-hyeon (Kashima Antlers)
- MF: Hong Hyun-seok (Gent)
- MF: Paik Seung-ho (Birmingham City)
- MF: Lee Jae-sung (Mainz 05)
- MF: Hwang Hee-chan (Wolverhampton Wanderers)
- MF: Park Jin-seob (Zhejiang FC)
- MF: Eom Ji-sung (Swansea City)
- MF: Lee Kang-in (Paris Saint-Germain)
- MF: Yang Hyun-jun (Celtic)
- MF: Kim Jin-gyu (Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors)
- MF: Kwon Hyeok-kyu (Karlsruher SC)
- MF: Bae Jun-ho (Stoke City)
- FW: Son Heung-min (Los Angeles FC)
- FW: Cho Gue-sung (Midtjylland)
- FW: Oh Hyeon-gyu (Besiktas)
Fixtures
- June 12, 2026: South Korea vs Czechia, Estadio Akron, Zapopan, Mexico
- June 19, 2026: Mexico vs South Korea, Estadio Akron, Zapopan, Mexico
- June 24, 2026: South Africa vs South Korea, Estadio BBVA, Guadalupe, Mexico
Recent Results
- March 31, 2026: Austria 1-0 South Korea, Ernst-Happel-Stadion, Vienna, Austria
- March 28, 2026: South Korea 0-4 Ivory Coast, Seoul World Cup Stadium, Seoul, South Korea
- November 18, 2025: South Korea 1-0 Ghana, Jeju World Cup Stadium, Seogwipo, South Korea
- November 14, 2025: South Korea 2-0 Bolivia, Busan Asiad Main Stadium, Busan, South Korea
- October 14, 2025: South Korea 2-0 Paraguay, Daejeon World Cup Stadium, Daejeon, South Korea
- October 10, 2025: South Korea 0-5 Brazil, Seoul World Cup Stadium, Seoul, South Korea
- September 09, 2025: Mexico 1-1 South Korea, AT&T Stadium, Arlington, United States
- September 06, 2025: United States 0-2 South Korea, Soldier Field, Chicago, United States
- July 15, 2025: South Korea 0-1 Japan, Seoul World Cup Stadium, Seoul, South Korea
- July 11, 2025: Hong Kong 0-2 South Korea, Seoul World Cup Stadium, Seoul, South Korea
- July 07, 2025: South Korea 3-0 China, Seoul World Cup Stadium, Seoul, South Korea
- June 10, 2025: South Korea 4-0 Kuwait, Seoul World Cup Stadium, Seoul, South Korea
- June 05, 2025: Iraq 0-2 South Korea, Basra International Stadium, Basra, Iraq
- March 25, 2025: South Korea 1-1 Jordan, Seoul World Cup Stadium, Seoul, South Korea
- March 20, 2025: South Korea 1-1 Oman, Seoul World Cup Stadium, Seoul, South Korea
Manager
Who is South Korea's manager?
Hong Myung-bo comes with some serious pedigree. he became the first Asian player ever to appear in four consecutive World Cups, playing in 1990, 1994, 1998 and 2002.
In 2002, his final World Cup, he was captain on home soil as South Korea reached the semi-finals, eventually finishing fourth. He was named the third best player of the tournament, the first Asian to be named amongst the top players of a World Cup.
Pele, yes the Pele, named him in his FIFA 100, a list of the 125 best living players in 2004. (Yes, we know it doesn't quite add up, but we'll let it slide, it's Pele. Pele!)
Hong had a previous spell in charge of the national team, and unsuccessful campaign in the 2014 World Cup. His second spell has been more successful, with South Korea not losing a game in qualifying under his stewardship.
Star player
Who is South Korea's star player?
His last season in England was underwhelming by his standards, but Son Heung-min is undoubtedly South Korea's star man. He is ranked at No.3 in FourFourTwo's list of the best Premier League wingers of all time, and ranked at no.35 in FourFourTwo's list of the greatest Premier League players of all time.
Son is the most capped player for the South Korean national team, and is only four goals off being top scorer.
He is now backed by some exciting talents, with Kim Min-jae and Lee Kang-in playing regularly for Bayern Munich and South Korea respectively. There's a chance they could be a dark horse heading to north America.
