'Korea's Future Core' 22-Year-Old Top Prospect Kang Sang-yoon to Stay Until the End of the World Cup... All Three Training Partners of Hong Myung-bo's Squad Remain

*This content was translated by AI.

Three top young talents poised to lead the future of Korean football will continue to accompany Hong Myung-bo's squad through the final schedule of the 2026 FIFA North America World Cup.

According to a statement released by the Korea Football Association on the 1st, midfielder Kang Sang-yoon (22, Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors) has confirmed his decision to remain with the national team until the conclusion of the final World Cup schedule after consultations with his club.

Originally, Kang Sang-yoon and defender Jo Wi-je (25, Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors) were scheduled to accompany the team only until the pre-camp in Salt Lake City, USA, but this decision means they will now stay with Hong Myung-bo's squad through the World Cup finals.

Earlier, during a press conference announcing the final 26-man roster, head coach Hong Myung-bo stated that he would bring along Kang Sang-yoon, Jo Wi-je, and goalkeeper Yoon Ki-wook (20, FC Seoul) as reserve entrants and training partners. The reason Hong suddenly selected these reserve players who did not even receive jersey numbers was to consider the growth of the next generation of stars.

During the press conference, Hong Myung-bo explained, "The national team must also consider the next cycle. I wanted them to experience firsthand what standards and attitudes the Seon Su-deul-i (CEO) team adopts during training. Learning in advance about the pressure and burden of preparing for international competitions will greatly aid their growth."

Following in the footsteps of a senior player who endured the humiliation of having no jersey number and laid the foundation for growth. Oh Hyun-gyu (Besiktas), currently a key striker for Hong Myung-bo's squad, is a prime example. Four years ago during the 2022 Qatar World Cup, Oh was not included in the final roster and boarded the flight to Qatar as a reserve member. He even took on the role of a ball boy, picking up balls around the training ground, to personally experience the world's best stage. Oh Hyun-gyu has since grown rapidly into a central goal-scorer for the national team.

In particular, Jo Wi-je, one of the three training partners, unexpectedly joined the official final 26-man roster. Central defender Jo Yu-min (Sharjah), who was originally included in the final roster, suffered a partial tear of the plantar fascia in his right heel during a friendly match against Trinidad and Tobago held during the U.S. pre-camp, creating an opening that Jo Wi-je filled.

As a result, all three promising talents — Kang Sang-yoon, known as a rising star midfielder; defender Jo Wi-je; and the youngest goalkeeper Yoon Ki-wook, recognized for his exceptional footwork and expected to accompany the team to the Guadalajara finals — will all stay with Hong Myung-bo's squad until the very end.

<© STARNEWS. All rights reserved. No reproduction or redistribution allowed.>

*This content was translated by AI.