Hong Myung-bo Team's 'Worst Scenario' Realizes, but Hwang In-beom, a key midfielder, is concerned about 'season out'

*This content was translated by AI.

As concerns were raised in the Netherlands that Hwang In-beom (30, Feyenoord), the core of the Korean national soccer team's midfield, may not be able to play in the rest of the season, Hong Myung-bo, who is set to play in the 2026 FIFA 2026 FIFA North and Central America World Cup, is also on "super alert."

In fact, Hwang In-beom's exclusion from the list of Ivory Coast and Austria in the A-match warm-up match in March has become very likely, and 2026 FIFA North and Central America World Cup, which is only three months away, may also become a reality in the worst-case scenario where Hwang In-beom cannot be guaranteed to play.

FR-Fans, who reported the news of the Dutch Feyenoord club earlier, said on the 18th (Korea time), "Hwang In-beom is reported to be on crutches after being injured in the last match against Excelsior. It means that he will not be able to play for the time being, and there is a possibility that he may not be able to play for the rest of the season," he said, citing local media outlet Alhemen Dahblatt (AD). In fact, the local government is even looking ahead to the possibility of a "season out."

The Korea Football Association is also paying keen attention to the exact extent and physical condition of Hwang In-beom. An official from the Korea Football Association said on Star News, "I heard that Hwang In-beom is being examined locally at a hospital. We have not yet received an accurate diagnosis or condition, so it will be decided whether to exclude the list in March after receiving the relevant information.

Earlier on the 16th, Hwang In-beom played in the 27th round of the Netherlands' Eredivisie against Excelsior in 2025-2026 at Stadion Feyenoord in Rotterdam, Netherlands, and collapsed after stepping on the back of his right foot during the ball competition. Hwang In-beom, who complained of great pain, eventually had to leave the stadium while being helped by the medical team without putting his injured foot on it.

In the afternoon of the day when the news of Hwang In-beom's injury was reported, head coach Hong Myung-bo first included Hwang In-beom on the national team's list, saying, "We have to wait for the results." Coach Hong hoped that Hwang In-beom was not a major injury, but unfortunately, the situation is not good based on the news from the Netherlands.

Already in the Netherlands, Hwang In-beom's absence in the "The Clasicher," the top rival between Feyenoord and Ajax, will be held on the 22nd. With him reportedly on crutches and the possibility of a season out, it is also difficult to join the national soccer team, which will be convened in England early next week. If even the March call-up is omitted, Hwang In-beom will leave as many as three times out of the last four Hong Myung-bo Team call-ups following September and November last year.

Furthermore, if the worst-case scenario of a season out becomes a reality, head coach Hong Myung-bo may have to prepare for the 2026 FIFA North and Central America World Cup with a new midfield combination without Hwang In-beom. If even Hwang In-beom, the core of the tactic, is excluded amid a major gap in the midfield due to a series of injuries by defensive midfielders such as Park Yong-woo (Al-Ain) and Won Doo-jae (Corpacan), there could be a fatal power vacuum.

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*This content was translated by AI.