South Korea squad World Cup 2026: Which players have made it to the showpiece in USA, Mexico and Canada?

All you need to know about South Korea's squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup

South Korea have confirmed their spot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup and will be one of the teams to watch.

After being knocked out in the group stages during their 2014 and 2018 World Cup campaigns, they managed to break that streak by qualifying for the Round of 16 in 2022. However, their run was halted by Brazil in the knockout stage.

South Korea's best-ever World Cup performance came in 2002 when they co-hosted the tournament. Against all odds, they reached the semi-finals and finished fourth, a historic achievement that remains unmatched in Asian football.

Can they recreate that magic 24 years later?

Goalkeepers

In the goalkeeping department for the Asian side, veteran Seung-gyu Kim is expected to be first-choice keeper at the World Cup. With over 80 international appearances and previous experience in international tournaments, Kim is all set to continue as No.1.

Hyeon-woo Jo of Ulsan HD is another excellent option and will be a strong back-up option.

Defenders

South Korea have quality players to reinforce their defence. Bayern Munich’s Kim Min-jae has established himself as one of the top centre-backs in the league and has also been massively influential for the national team. His presence will be vital in leading the backline for the Asian side on the world stage.

Alongside Min-jae, South Korea also have the likes of Yung-woo Seol and Tae-seok Lee, who have been exceptional in the wider areas for both their clubs and the national team.

Yu-min Cho of Sharjah is another reliable centre-back and should form a solid partnership with Min-jae as South Korea’s central defensive duo at the World Cup.

Midfielders

In midfield, South Korea possess an abundance of high-calibre options to dictate play at the global showpiece. Feyenoord’s Hwang In-beom has been highly instrumental in the Netherlands as well as for the national team, and his orchestrating presence will be essential for Hong Myung-bo’s side to provide central stability and unlock opposition defences.

The Taeguk Warriors boast an impressive array of British-based and elite European talent to reinforce their engine room. Wolves forward Hwang Hee-chan and Paris Saint-Germain's Lee Kang-in inject immense creative flair from advanced midfield positions, whilst Birmingham City’s Paik Seung-ho, Stoke City's Bae Jun-ho, and Celtic's Yang Hyun-jun offer incredible dynamism to the selection. Furthermore, Mainz's experienced campaigner Lee Jae-sung and Jeonbuk's Kim Jin-gyu add vital tactical intelligence and tournament savvy to the setup.

Attackers

In attack, the Asian heavyweights have some illustrious names at their disposal to lead the line in North America. Son Heung-min, the legendary former Tottenham Hotspur forward, has been in sparkling form for Major League Soccer outfit Los Angeles FC since his high-profile move, and the talismanic captain will aim to fire his country to glory at his fourth World Cup finals.

The Taeguk Warriors' frontline is further bolstered by lethal, multi-dimensional goalscoring threats. Oh Hyeon-gyu enters the global showpiece having performed at an exceptionally high level for Besiktas in Turkiye, offering a dynamic and decisive option to operate in the traditional number nine role.

Completing a formidable, high-calibre attacking contingent is Midtjylland's prolific marksman Cho Gue-sung, who provides Hong Myung-bo's side with vital physical presence, clinical finishing, and proven tournament pedigree on the grandest stage of all.

South Korea's star players

South Korea boast a well-balanced squad with quality players across all areas of the pitch. If they are to make a deep run at the World Cup, their star performers must rise to the occasion. Heung-min Son will be a crucial figure in the attacking third, with his pace, vision, and dribbling ability set to pose a constant threat to opposition defences.

Kang-in Lee and Jae-sung Lee are also key components of the South Korean attack, tasked with creating opportunities and adding width when needed. Up front, Hee-chan Hwang will play a decisive role in converting chances for Myung-bo’s side.

In midfield, In-beom Hwang will be responsible for dictating the tempo of the game, while at the back, Kim Min-jae will be key.

Predicted South Korea Starting XI for World Cup 2026

In goal for South Korea, veteran goalkeeper Seung-gyu Kim is expected to start as the first-choice keeper at the World Cup, with Hyeon-woo Jo providing reliable backup.

In defence, Min-jae Kim and Yu-min Cho form a strong centre-back pairing at the heart of the backline, while Young-woo Seol and Tae-seok Lee will be tasked with offering width and support in attack.

The engine room will see Feyenoord’s maestro Hwang In-beom partner Birmingham City's Paik Seung-ho, with the duo playing pivotal roles in maintaining structural stability, breaking up opposition plays, and dictating the tempo for the Korean side.

Further up the pitch, a star-studded creative unit consisting of talismanic captain Son Heung-min, Paris Saint-Germain's Lee Kang-in, and Mainz's Lee Jae-sung will be expected to supply the ammunition for Besiktas striker Oh Hyeon-gyu as he leads the line.

Predicted South Korea starting XI (4-2-3-1): Kim S.G.; Seol Y.W., Kim M.J., Cho Y.M., Lee T.S.; Paik S.H., Hwang I.B.; Son H.M., Lee J.S., Lee K.I.; Oh H.G.