Korea Republic at the 2026 FIFA World Cup

Son Heung-Min's departure from Tottenham Hotspur to LAFC was the defining transfer story of the Korean football calendar. After 10 years, 163 goals and a Premier League Golden Boot, he left north London for Major League Soccer. The timing — with a home World Cup on the horizon — was deliberate. Son wanted to be rested, healthy and motivated for June 2026 rather than grinding through a difficult Spurs rebuild.

The move raised questions about his international quality. Would a season in MLS reduce his edge? The answer, based on his form heading into the tournament, appears to be no. Son trained with a focus and intensity that silenced critics, and his leadership of the squad in the preparation phase has been total.

Jens Castrop's inclusion continues a tradition that has genuinely strengthened South Korea's squad. Born in Germany with Korean parents, Castrop chose the Taeguk Warriors after impressing at Borussia Mönchengladbach. Like Ki Sung-Yueng and others before him who developed in Europe before committing internationally, Castrop brings a technical baseline from German football that raises the squad's floor.

The notable absences are in the attacking line. Only three forwards — Son, Oh Hyun-Kyu and Cho Kyu-Sung — are named. The midfield is asked to contribute goals, with Lee Kang-In, Hwang Hee-Chan and Yang Hyun-Jun (Celtic) all capable of scoring from distance. It is a squad built to be compact and hard to break, with Son and Lee Kang-In as the decisive difference-makers.

Ten defenders is an unusual commitment for a 26-man squad. It reflects the coach's philosophy: South Korea will be hard to score against, difficult to break down, and will rely on transitions and set-pieces to create chances at the other end. Kim Min-Jae at the heart of the defence, with Castrop on the left and a rotation of domestically-based right-backs, gives them a solid base.

The midfield is where the squad's real quality lies. Lee Kang-In at PSG, Hwang In-Beom at Feyenoord, Lee Jae-Sung at Mainz and Hwang Hee-Chan at Wolves represent a level of European-league experience that Korea has rarely had across multiple midfield positions simultaneously.

Three forwards is a risk. Son and Oh Hyun-Kyu (Beşiktaş) are clear starters; Cho Kyu-Sung at Midtjylland is the backup. If Son picks up an injury, the forward options thin very quickly. The squad's shape is built around Son being fit for every minute of every game.