Even with his name on the final World Cup roster, Kim Moon-hwan couldn't smile. "I'm sorry to the Daejeon fans." [Daejeon on-site]

*This content was translated by AI.

"This situation just feels difficult."

On the 16th, when the final 2026 FIFA North America World Cup roster was announced, Kim Moon-hwan (31, Daejeon Hana Citizen), who received a second World Cup opportunity following an invitation from coach Hong Myung-bo, wore a somber expression. This was because his team lost 1-2 to FC Seoul in the Hana Bank K League 1 2026 Round 15 home match held at Daejeon World Cup Stadium immediately after the national team roster announcement.

With this loss, Daejeon fell into a three-game losing streak. At home, they recorded three draws and five losses, failing to break their eight-game home unbeaten streak since the season opener. For Kim Moon-hwan, the disappointment of being unable to snap his team's slump on this day outweighed the joy of making the final World Cup roster. This was the reason for his gloomy expression when he met with reporters after the match.

Kim Moon-hwan said, "I heard about my inclusion in the final World Cup roster after warming up and entering the locker room. I was nervous, but I tried to focus as much as possible on the match." He added, "While I was happy about making the final roster, this match was more important than the World Cup selection. Because I felt bad about the team's loss, I didn't even check my phone or know how many congratulatory messages I received."

He continued, "I think I need to think a lot about how the team can turn things around. I also need to think a lot about how I can help the team." He added, "I am truly sorry to the Daejeon fans. I will prepare well during the break and hope to show a turnaround in the second half of the season."

His team Daejeon is now entering the break, and Kim Moon-hwan, who received an invitation from coach Hong Myung-bo, will focus on the World Cup for the time being. In fact, he will depart for the pre-camp in the United States through Incheon International Airport in two days. This will be Kim Moon-hwan's second World Cup stage.

During the 2022 Qatar World Cup under coach Paulo Bento (Portugal), he played as the undisputed right-sided defender. He was one of only three players, along with Son Heung-min (LAFC) and goalkeeper Cho Hyun-woo, who started and played the full duration of every match from the group stage through the Round of 16. On this World Cup stage, he will compete with Seol Young-woo (Crvena Zvezda) for the right-sided defender position.

Kim Moon-hwan said, "I think Coach Hong Myung-bo has well recognized my strengths, such as my speed and role in attacking situations." He added, "It has been four years since the Qatar World Cup, and I am now in my mid-30s, so I am participating in the World Cup. I am playing with such excellent players. Like in the Qatar World Cup, I plan to work silently and, if given the opportunity, try hard."

He continued, "The World Cup stage is always new and exciting. I don't know what kind of experience I will have this time, but I am really looking forward to it." He added, "While preparing for the World Cup, I plan to prepare step by step for a victory in the first match. I believe that if we win the first match, we can move to a good position, so I want to secure the first win as much as possible. My wife is scheduled to give birth at the end of August to early September, and I am happy that good things keep happening to me, following my World Cup participation."

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*This content was translated by AI.