World Cup 2026

Korea Republic at the 2026 World Cup: roster, squad, players, group and schedule

Take a look at Korea Republic’s full World Cup squad, including every player selected by Hong Myung-bo, the team’s schedule and its group-stage opponents.

ALEX GOODLETT
Digital sports journalist
Irish native who switched from the music industry to the world of sport moving from Universal Music to AS in 2017. A keen runner, soccer player and now discovering the world's fastest growing sport of padel. A fútbol fanatic covering LaLiga, MLS, Liga MX and other offbeat stories from the global game. Can always be found rooting for the underdog.
Update:

Korea Republic head into the 2026 FIFA World Cup under the guidance of manager Hong Myung-bo, and the Asian side boast a top-heavy squad anchored by world-class experience but faces an uphill battle to progress deep into the tournament.

Drawn into a demanding Group A alongside co-hosts Mexico, Czechia, and South Africa, the Taegeuk Warriors possess a distinct “spear and shield” dynamic. Their defensive line is anchored by Bayern Munich’s elite center-back Kim Min-jae, while the creative spark and goal-scoring threat rests heavily upon the shoulders of Paris Saint-Germain’s Lee Kang-in and their iconic, talismanic captain Son Heung-min (now playing in MLS for LAFC).

While Korea Republic have the elite individual quality to upset anyone on their day, their primary challenge lies in squad depth and tactical consistency; heavy pre-tournament friendly defeats have exposed defensive fragilities, meaning their chances of reaching the knockout rounds will rely entirely on their star trio firing in perfect unison.

Korea Republic's footballer jog during a training session at the Verde Valle training ground in Zapopan, Jalisco state, MexicoULISES RUIZ

Korea Republic full squad for the 2026 World Cup

  • Goalkeepers:
  • Kim Seung-Gyu (FC Tokyo),
  • Song Bum Keun (Jeonbuk Hyundai),
  • Jo Hyeon-Woo (Ulsan HD)

  • Defenders:
  • Kim Moon-Hwan (Daejon Hana),
  • Kim Min-Jae (Bayern de Múnich),
  • Kim Tae-Hwan (Kashima Antlers),
  • Park Jin-Seob (Jeonbuk Hyundai),
  • Seol Young-Woo (Red Star),
  • Jens Castrop (Borussia Mönchengladbach),
  • Lee Ki-Hyuk (Gangwon FC),
  • Lee Tae-Seok (Austria Vienna),
  • Lee Han-Beom (Midtjylland),
  • Cho Yumin (Sharjah FC)

  • Midfielders:
  • Kim Jin-Gyu (Jeonbuk Hyundai),
  • Bae Jun-Ho (Stoke City), Paik Seung-Ho (Birmingham City),
  • Yang Hyun-Jun (Celtic),
  • Eom Ji-Sung (Swansea City),
  • Lee Kang-In (PSG),
  • Lee Dong-Gyeong (Ulsan HD),
  • Lee Jjae-Sung )Mainz 05),
  • Hwang In-Beom (Feyenoord),
  • Hwang Hee-Chan (Wolverhampton)

  • Forwards:
  • Son Heung-Min (LA FC),
  • Oh Hyeon-Gyu (Besiktas),
  • Cho Gue-Sung (Midtjylland)

Korea Republic’s World Cup group and schedule

Group A: Mexico, South Africa, South Korea, Czechia

Thursday, June 11

Korea Republic vs. Czechia

Thursday, June 18

Mexico vs Korea Republic

Wednesday, June 24

South Africa vs. Korea Republic

Check out the World Cup rosters for all the other 47 teams at World Cup 2026

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