Overview
- Coach Hong Myung-bo unveiled the roster Saturday in Seoul, confirming Son Heung-min as captain for his fourth World Cup.
- The squad features German-born Jens Castrop as the first foreign-born, mixed-heritage player on a Korea World Cup list and a surprise call-up for versatile defender Lee Gi-hyuk.
- Midfielder Hwang In-beom made the cut after a March ankle injury, with Hong saying his conditioning is fine but match sharpness will be built in two Utah friendlies.
- The team departs Monday for a high-altitude camp in Salt Lake City to face Trinidad and Tobago on May 30 and El Salvador on June 3 before flying to Mexico for Group A games in Guadalajara and Monterrey.
- South Korea will play Czechia on June 11, Mexico on June 18, and South Africa on June 24 in Mexico, as Hong set a goal of reaching the expanded tournament’s new round of 32 in the nation’s 11th straight appearance.