Son Heung-min to Captain South Korea as Their Star Studded World Cup 2026 Squad Announced

Son Heung-min will captain the South Korea national football team at the FIFA World Cup 2026 after coach Hong Myung-bo announced his 26-man squad for the tournament. The forward is preparing for his fourth World Cup appearance and enters the competition following his move to Los Angeles FC from Tottenham Hotspur last year.

The announcement means Son Heung-min has been appointed to captain South Korea national football team for another major tournament, with the experienced forward expected to lead a squad that combines European-based players with several domestic league selections.

Experienced Core Retained

South Korea’s squad includes several established internationals, including Lee Kang-in of Paris Saint-Germain, defender Kim Min-jae from Bayern Munich and winger Hwang Hee-chan of Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Forward options also include Oh Hyeon-gyu, Cho Gue-sung and Celtic winger Yang Hyun-jun. German-born midfielder Jens Castrop was also included in the final squad after impressing in Europe.

Group-Stage Fixtures Confirmed

The South Korea World Cup Squad announced by Hong Myung-bo will compete in Group A alongside co-hosts Mexico, the Czech Republic and South Africa.

South Korea open their campaign against the Czech Republic on June 11 before facing Mexico in Guadalajara on June 18. Their final group-stage fixture will be against South Africa in Monterrey on June 24.

South Korea Squad

Goalkeepers 

Jo Hyeon-woo, Kim Seung-gyu, Song Bum-keun

Defenders

Kim Moon-hwan, Kim Min-jae, Kim Tae-hyon, Park Jin-seob, Seol Young-woo, Jens Castrop, Lee Ki-hyuk, Lee Tae-seok, Lee Han-beom, Cho Yu-min

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

Forwards

Son Heung-min, Oh Hyeon-gyu, Cho Gue-sung