[Official Announcement] 'Lee Ki-hyeok's Surprise Selection' Hong Myung-bo's Squad, Final 26-Man Roster for the World Cup Confirmed... Lee Seung-woo Excluded

*This content was translated by AI.

After about two years of fierce selection, the final period has finally been reached. The final roster of 26 Taeguk Warriors who will compete in the 2026 FIFA North American World Cup finals has been confirmed.

Hong Myung-bo, head coach of the South Korean national soccer team, held a press conference at 4 p.m. on the 16th at West Onmadang, KT Gwanghwamun Building, Jongno-gu, Seoul, and unexpectedly revealed the final World Cup roster.

Players who were highly likely to be selected made the roster without any surprises. Led by captain Son Heung-min (LAFC), existing key European-based players such as Kim Min-jae (Bayern Munich) and Lee Kang-in (Paris Saint-Germain) were included, and multi-player Jens Castrof (Borussia Mönchengladbach), who recently settled into the national team after naturalization, also successfully made the roster without difficulty.

The biggest concern was the injury gap in the defense, which was filled by young players who have been active in the K League. Multi-player Lee Ki-hyeok (Gangwon FC), who can play as a central defender, full-back, and midfielder, was selected by Coach Hong Myung-bo.

In addition, Lee Dong-gyeong (Ulsan HD), who has been active as the best second-line player in the K League 1 recently, was included in his first-ever World Cup roster. Lee Seung-woo, who has emerged as Jeonbuk's super joker, was excluded.

After announcing the final roster, Coach Hong Myung-bo's squad will depart for Salt Lake City, Utah, USA, the pre-camp site, on the 18th, two days later, with the first-team squad including Coach Hong, officially beginning their World Cup journey.

Following this, Coach Hong Myung-bo's squad will hold a camp in Salt Lake City to adapt to the high altitude and play two friendly matches there. They will play their first match against Trinidad and Tobago at 10 a.m. (Korean time) on the 31st, followed by a final mock match against El Salvador at 10 a.m. on June 4.

After all friendly matches, Ma Chin (CEO) will enter Guadalajara, Mexico, the base camp and decisive venue for this tournament, on June 5 to fine-tune their best condition.

In this tournament, which will be held for the first time with 48 teams, South Korea is in Group A of the group stage. Coach Hong Myung-bo's squad will play their fateful first group stage match against the Czech Republic at 11 a.m. on June 12, followed by a clash with host nation Mexico on the 19th, and conclude the group stage with a match against South Africa on the 25th.

GK (3 players): Cho Hyun-woo (Ulsan HD), Song Beom-geun (Jeonbuk Hyundai), Kim Seung-gyu (FC Tokyo)

DF (10 players): Kim Min-jae (Bayern Munich), Lee Han-beom (Midtjylland), Kim Tae-hyun (Kashima Antlers), Cho Yu-min (Sharjah), Seol Young-woo (Crvena Zvezda), Lee Tae-seok (Austria Vienna), Kim Moon-hwan (Daejeon Hana Citizen), Lee Ki-hyeok (Gangwon FC), Jens Castrof (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Park Jin-seop (Zhejiang FC)

MF (10 players): Lee Kang-in (Paris Saint-Germain), Lee Jae-sung (Mainz), Hwang In-beom (Feyenoord), Kim Jin-gyu (Jeonbuk Hyundai), Yang Hyun-jun (Celtic FC), Lee Dong-gyeong (Ulsan HD), Hwang Hee-chan (Wolverhampton), Eom Ji-seong (Swansea City), Bae Jun-ho (Stoke City), Baek Seung-ho (Birmingham City)

FW (3 players): Son Heung-min (LAFC), Oh Hyeon-gyu (Beşiktaş), Cho Gue-sung (Midtjylland)

Future Asset Candidates 3 Training Partners (3 players): Jo Wi-je, Kang Sang-yoon (both Jeonbuk), Yoon Gi-wook (FC Seoul)

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*This content was translated by AI.