Lee Kang-in, who is 'stepped on the Achilles tendon', is likely to miss the final mock test of the World Cup... "Don't play in Ivory Coast". French media

*This content was translated by AI.

Lee Kang-in (24, Paris Saint-Germain), a key midfielder of the South Korean national soccer team, suffered a dizzying injury. Fortunately, he avoided major injuries during the misfortune, but France is voicing the need for a break during the A-match to protect players.

French media Le Parisien reported on the 23rd (Korea time) that "Lee Kang-in needs a break during this A-match due to his injury," adding, "Lee Kang-in avoided a major injury to his ankle as a result of a detailed diagnosis, but he will miss the first A-match in March against Ivory Coast on the 28th, shortly after the call-up."

Lee Kang-in, a key midfielder for the South Korean national team, faced a dizzying injury crisis just before the national team was called up. Lee Kang-in started against OGC Nice in the 27th round of the League 1 in the 2025-2026 season at Allianz Riviera in Nice, France on the 22nd.

However, in the 14th minute of the second half, when the team was leading 2-0, Lee Kang-in collapsed due to an unexpected injury. Nice midfielder Yusuf Ndayishimiye stretched his foot too far to Lee Kang-in, and eventually stepped strongly on Lee Kang-in's left ankle Achilles tendon.

It was a dizzying moment. Lee Kang-in immediately collapsed on the ground, grabbed his ankle and complained of extreme pain. The referee took out a red card straight to Ndayishimiye after VAR.

Lee Kang-in woke up with pain, but Luis Enrique replaced Lee Kang-in with Usman Dembele in the 19th minute of the second half to protect him. Lee Kang-in, who stepped down to the bench, took off his soccer shoes and received emergency treatment from medical staff. Fortunately, Lee Kang-in walked out on his own, but due to the nature of the ankle area, it was necessary to check closely.

The news of Lee Kang-in's injury is a big bad news for the South Korean national soccer team led by head coach Hong Myung-bo. The national team will play two consecutive games against Ivory Coast in London, England, on the 28th and Austria in Vienna, Austria, on April 1. It is actually the last mock test to be held just three months before the 2026 FIFA North-China World Cup finals.

The weight of this list announcement is different. Considering Hong Myung-bo Team's official schedule so far, the two consecutive games are very likely to be the last warm-up match before the final entry is confirmed in May. Considering the flow of the national team moving directly to Mexico, the site of the showdown after the announcement of the final list, the final outline of the World Cup envisioned by head coach Hong Myung-bo was revealed through the list.

In addition, Hong Myung-bo Team has been moaning from a series of injuries to its main players. Key engine Hwang In-beom (Feyenoord) was recently excluded from the call-up list due to a ligament injury in his right ankle after stepping on his foot while escaping the pressure of three opposing players during his team's game. In addition, defensive midfielders such as Park Yong-woo (Al-Ain) and Won Doo-jae (Corpacan) are also out of the lineup.

Compared to past cases, the importance of this March list is clear. During the 2018 World Cup in Russia, coach Shin Tae-yong announced the preliminary list in mid-May after the warm-up match in March, and during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, coach Paulo Bento also confirmed the final list immediately after the last appearance ceremony.

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*This content was translated by AI.