'The best 11 predicted for the Korea World Cup are out.' Son Heung-min, Hwang Hee-chan, and Lee Kang-in are expected to make a three-top appearance

*This content was translated by AI.

• Soccer Statistics Media Expect Squacca

The expected starting lineup of the South Korean national soccer team, which will be used in the 2026 FIFA North American World Cup, has been revealed.

Squaka, a soccer statistics media outlet, predicted Korea's 2026 FIFA North American World Cup on the 18th (Korea Standard Time), predicting the starting lineup based on the 3-4-3 type that head coach Hong Myung-bo is using recently.

In the squad car, Son Heung-min (LAFC) and Lee Kang-in (Paris Saint-Germain) are on the left and right sides with Hwang Hee-chan (Wolverhampton) at the forefront, while Lee Tae-seok (Austria Vienna), Hwang In-beom (Feyenoord), Baek Seung-ho (Birmingham City), and Seol Young-woo (Trvena Zvezda) put weight on the possibility of building a midfield team.

The defense line is expected to be guarded by Kim Joo-sung (Sanfrecce Hiroshima), Kim Min-jae (Bayern Munich), and Cho Yoo-min (Sharja) from the left, and Kim Seung-gyu (FC Tokyo) from the goal.

"South Korea is one of several national teams that has recently adopted a three-back screening," the media said. "This tactic has the advantage of providing flexibility to sit down and focus on defense depending on the situation, and enabling aggressive development if necessary. Considering the characteristics of Group A, which does not have a large power difference, this could work in an advantageous way to quickly change the flow of the economy, he analyzed.

"The offense is expected to consist of Son Heung-min, Lee Kang-in and Hwang Hee-chan. It can be a balanced combination in terms of technology, game management, and experience. In the midfield, Baek Seung-ho and Hwang In-beom will form a double volanche combination, he said. "In the defense, Kim Min-jae is considered the only solid starting player among the three backs. The goalkeeper added, "Veteran Kim Seung-gyu will beat Cho Hyun-woo (Ulsan HD) as the main player."

In the meantime, Son Heung-min is in charge of penalties, and Son Heung-min and Lee Kang-in are expected to be kickers for free and corner kicks.

"As players like Son Heung-min and Lee Jae-sung (Mainz 05) enter the second half of their careers in Korea, the feeling of the past heyday seems to have disappeared," Squaka said. Instead, the future looks bright with a new generation of talents," he said. "As it is in Group A with Mexico, South Africa, and UEFA's playoff pass D (Denmark, Czech Republic, Ireland, North Macedonia), the possibility of passing the group stage seems sufficient."

"The World Cup winning dividend rate (501 times) set for South Korea seems to reflect the perception that the national team's power is not the strongest ever. Considering that there is no favorite powerhouse in Group A, the dividend rate is even more noticeable, he said. "It means that passing the group league may be possible, but it may face difficulties in the tournament where they meet stronger opponents."

On Coach Hong Myung-bo, Squaka said, "Coach Hong, who took the helm of the national team for the second time, received a report card that he was eliminated from the group stage at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. He said, "He will be hoping to achieve great results in this second challenge," adding, "Korea, led by head coach Hong Myung-bo, has a structure that is not easy for opponents to target. On top of that, Lee Kang-in and Son Heung-min have the ability to shake any team in the tournament," he added.

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*This content was translated by AI.