South Korea have named their 26-man World Cup 2026 squad — and the story starts with Son Heung-Min. He is no longer at Tottenham Hotspur. The captain, South Korea's all-time top scorer, the most decorated Korean in Premier League history, is now at Los Angeles FC in MLS. This World Cup is being played on his new home turf. He arrives not as a Premier League star but as a player who made a life-changing career decision and is now representing his country at the tournament that could define his legacy. Alongside him: Kim Min-Jae from Bayern Munich, Lee Kang-In from PSG, and Jens Castrop — born in Germany, committed to Korea.
The Squad's Defining Story — Son's MLS Move
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.
Key Players to Watch
Squad Analysis — Defensive Depth, Creative Scarcity
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.
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Group A — Hosts, Pressure and Opportunity
South Korea are in Group A alongside Mexico (co-host), Czech Republic and South Africa. It is a group where second place is achievable — and South Korea have the quality to fight for it. Mexico will carry enormous home pressure; South Africa are defensively disciplined but limited in attack; Czech Republic are a physical European side that can be vulnerable in transition.
Son against Mexico, in a host nation stadium, would be one of the tournament's most watched group stage matches. South Korea's ability to absorb pressure and counter-attack through Son and Lee Kang-In suits the game they will need to play against Mexico's aggressive pressing style.
World Cup History
One to Watch — Son Heung-Min
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