[Q&A] 'Surprise Selection' Kangwon's Lee Ki-hyeok: "Preparing for the World Cup with urgency, I will play with more determination than anyone else"

*This content was translated by AI.

Lee Ki-hyeok (25, Kangwon FC), who was surprisingly selected for Hong Myung-bo's squad, expressed his confident thoughts on stepping onto the international stage.

Hong Myung-bo, head coach of the South Korean national football team, held a press conference at 4 p.m. on the 16th at West Onmadang, KT Gwanghwamun Building, Jongno-gu, Seoul, and announced the final 26-man World Cup roster. Along with key players such as captain Son Heung-min (LAFC), Kim Min-jae (Bayern Munich), and Lee Kang-in (Paris Saint-Germain), Lee Ki-hyeok was also included, rising as a "surprise protagonist."

Lee Ki-hyeok has played only one match in his entire A-match career. He appeared in one game during the 2022 EAFF E-1 Championship under former coach Paulo Bento. Although he was called up to Hong Myung-bo's team, he did not get to play. However, he succeeded in winning over Coach Hong's heart by delivering outstanding performances in the K League this season. This season, Lee Ki-hyeok has been active as a key defender for Kangwon, participating in 13 K League 1 matches.

Another advantage of Lee Ki-hyeok is his ability to play not only as a center-back but also as a full-back and even a midfielder. This year, Kangwon coach Jeong Kyung-ho, unlike before, primarily deployed Lee Ki-hyeok as a center-back to provide stability. However, depending on the situation, he can contribute to the team from various positions. He has now been given the opportunity to showcase his abilities on the dream stage.

Lee Ki-hyeok's final selection for the World Cup national team is a first in Kangwon FC's history. If he steps onto the World Cup pitch, Lee Ki-hyeok will be named as the first player from Kangwon FC to appear in a World Cup. Ahead of the 2018 Russia World Cup, Lee Keun-ho was included in the preliminary roster but was dropped due to injury.

After hearing the news of his selection for the national team, Lee Ki-hyeok, through Kangwon FC, said, "It is a stage that every football player dreams of, and I am extremely happy to be able to go to that stage," and promised, "I will do my best to show a better performance at the World Cup in return for your support."

▶The following is a Q&A with Lee Ki-hyeok.

-What are your thoughts on being selected for the final World Cup roster?

It is a stage that every football player dreams of, and I am truly happy to be able to go to that stage. I still cannot fully believe it. Since the thing I only imagined has become reality, I am so happy that words cannot express it."

-It must have been a long wait until the announcement. What were you thinking?

I knew I was included in the preliminary roster, but as the announcement approached, I had a strong desire to be selected. At the same time, I told myself not to be too disappointed if I wasn't. The coach also told me that at times like this, one must remain more calm and maintain focus.

-What was the first thought that came to mind when you heard the news of your selection?

Today was the day before the match, so I was in a meeting before the afternoon training. As the meeting went on, it went past 4 p.m. After the meeting ended, I came out to the field, where the coach and coaches congratulated me first. Everyone in the squad also congratulated me at a gathering before training, and when asked to say a few words on behalf of the team, I expressed my gratitude to the players and staff. The feeling of happiness was the strongest.

-You have secured your first opportunity to play in the World Cup as a member of Kangwon FC.

Before joining Kangwon FC, I played for several teams and was unable to establish a long-term position at any one club. When I came to Kangwon FC, I motivated myself as a player and set significant personal goals. I believe I received good evaluations as I achieved my goals one by one from the first season. Last year, I had a season that was not personally satisfying due to injury, but this year, I recovered my health, prepared well, and aimed to have a meaningful season. It seems the results have followed the preparation.

The word "first" feels extremely meaningful. I hope fans can feel even prouder of Kangwon FC. There are truly many good players at Kangwon FC. I believe that if I perform well, other players will receive more attention, and Kangwon FC itself will be noticed more. My goal is to prepare well so that the name Kangwon FC can shine even brighter and to step onto the field.

-Please share your determination ahead of the World Cup.

I have prepared for the World Cup with great longing, urgency, and desperation. Since I have been selected for the national team, I believe I must play with more longing than anyone else when I go there. If I get to play, I am ready to play with more determination than anyone else. I understand that there were many players in the preliminary roster, and I think I must show a responsible image befitting a national team player, considering the efforts of those players. I believe working hard and playing with longing is what I must do.

-Please say a few words to Narsha and the people of Gangwon Province.

As I showed good performances, fans supported me a lot and encouraged me to go to the national team. I am truly grateful. I feel only gratitude, as if I will never receive such support again. It seems I was able to reach this point thanks to the support of fans and the people of Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province. I will do my best to show a better performance at the World Cup in return for your support.

▶Final 26-man roster of the South Korean national football team for the 2026 North American World Cup

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

-DF (10): 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 (Kangwon FC), Jens Castroft (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Park Jin-seop (Zhejiang FC)

-MF (10): Lee Kang-in (Paris Saint-Germain), Lee Jae-sung (Mainz), Hwang In-beom (Feyenoord), Kim Jin-kyu (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): Son Heung-min (LAFC), Oh Hyeon-gyu (Besiktas), Cho Gue-sung (Midtjylland)

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

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*This content was translated by AI.