*This content was translated by AI.
The final choice by Hong Myung-bo's team for the 2026 FIFA North American World Cup is drawing near. There is no denying the possibility of a surprise selection appearing in the final 26-man roster that will compete on the main stage.
Hong Myung-bo, head coach of the South Korean national soccer team, will hold a press conference at 4 p.m. on the 16th at West Onmadang, KT Gwanghwamun Building, Jongno-gu, Seoul, to reveal the final World Cup roster.
At this event, Coach Hong Myung-bo will put the final period on the two-year-long process of sifting the wheat from the chaff. Two days after the roster announcement, on the 18th, the first-team squad, including Coach Hong Myung-bo, will depart for the pre-camp site in Salt Lake City, USA, to officially begin their World Cup journey.
Currently, the core strength of Hong Myung-bo's team is already taking shape. With captain Son Heung-min (LAFC) at the forefront, along with key European-based players such as Kim Min-jae (Bayern Munich), Lee Kang-in (Paris Saint-Germain), and Oh Hyeon-gyu (Besiktas), as well as domestic and Asian-based resources like Kim Seung-gyu (FC Tokyo), Cho Hyun-woo (Ulsan HD), and Kim Jin-gyu (Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors), it is widely analyzed that over 80% of the roster is already confirmed. Jens Castrof (Mönchengladbach), a multi-player who has settled into the national team after naturalization, is also expected to make the squad without issue.
The key point of interest lies in the names that will fill the remaining 20%. Coach Hong Myung-bo has repeatedly declared that he will select players showing the best form as of May. In fact, the crucial factor is who has been written in Coach Hong Myung-bo's notebook after he personally visited the K League sites recently to conduct a final check.
A variable due to injury has emerged in the defensive line. There is an urgent need for resources to fill the gap left by Kim Ju-sung (Hiroshima), who recently suffered a knee injury.
In response, multi-player Lee Ki-hyuk (Gangwon FC), who can play as a central defender, fullback, and midfielder, has emerged as a strong candidate. Additionally, Jo Wi-je (Jeonbuk), with his overwhelming 189cm height and agility, and the experienced Kwon Kyung-won (Anyang) are also cited as cards to counter the height of European teams such as the Czech Republic.
As for fullback resources, European-based players such as Seol Young-woo (Crvena Zvezda) and Lee Tae-seok (Austria Wien) remain strong, while Jo Hyun-taek (Ulsan), Choi Jun (Seoul), and Kim Yoon-seong (Jeju) are also mentioned as backup resources.
In the attacking line, the most significant point of interest is whether Lee Seung-woo (Jeonbuk) will make a surprise return to the national team. Lee Seung-woo, who was the surprise selection during the 2018 Russia World Cup, has been firing his goal-scoring machine day after day with his current club, earning evaluations that he best fits the May form emphasized by Coach Hong Myung-bo. Additionally, last year's league MVP Lee Dong-gyeong (Ulsan) and Kim Dae-won (Gangwon), who is currently in excellent condition, are also cited as dark horses in the second-line competition.
There have been numerous cases in the past where unexpected selections just before the World Cup injected vitality into the team. Given that the schedule for this tournament has been extended due to the expansion of participating nations, it cannot be ruled out that Coach Hong Myung-bo may make a bold selection considering strategic reserve resources or tactical specialities.
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*This content was translated by AI.
