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Taeguk Warriors go into final World Cup tune-ups with star casualties, selection questions

Published: 24 Mar. 2026, 17:19 Updated: 24 Mar. 2026, 18:10

Left: Son Heung-min reacts after missing a shot during a Group B match between Korea and Jordan in the third round of Asian qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Suwon World Cup Stadium in Gyeonggi on March 25, 2025. Right: Lee Kang-in waves to fans as he is substituted during a friendly match between Korea and Ghana at Seoul World Cup Stadium in Mapo District, western Seoul, on Nov. 18, 2025. [YONHAP, NEWS1]

Korea head into its final World Cup tune-up with more questions than answers.

With Son Heung-min short of goals and Lee Kang-in short of full fitness, manager Hong Myung-bo must use this week’s friendlies to assess how much of his team’s structure holds without two key players — and who can replace them if needed.

The answers will start to take shape in Europe.

The national team departed for London from Incheon on Monday. Hong traveled with his backroom staff, along with five players based in the K League and the Chinese Football Super League. Players in other leagues, including Son, will join the squad directly from their clubs.

Korea will play the Ivory Coast at Stadium MK in Milton Keynes at 2 p.m. on Saturday, before facing Austria at Ernst Happel Stadium in Vienna at 8:45 p.m on March 31.

The pair of fixtures serves as the final evaluation before Hong names his squad for the World Cup in mid-May. With FIFA removing the usual pretournament international window due to the expanded 48-team format, Korea must finalize its roster and tactical approach earlier than in the past.

The two opponents provide a practical benchmark. The Ivory Coast, ranked 37th by FIFA, and Austria, ranked 24th, sit near Korea in 22nd, offering a direct comparison in terms of competitiveness and tactical execution.

Korea national team manager Hong Myung-bo answers a question during a press conference announcing the squad for March’s European away friendlies at Korea Football Park in Cheonan, South Chungcheong, on March 16. [YONHAP]

Selection concerns center on form and fitness among key players.

Son remains the focal point, but his form at Los Angeles FC has dipped, going goalless in eight consecutive matches. His output has declined compared to last season, when he recorded 12 goals and four assists in 13 appearances after a midseason move. This year, he has one goal and seven assists in nine matches. Compared to last year, his shots per 90 minutes have dropped from 3.92 to 2.94, and shots on target from 2.13 to 0.42.

His positional shift into a more advanced midfield role explains part of the decline, but the reduced goal threat remains a concern.

Midfield availability is also limited. Central midfielder Hwang In-beom withdrew due to an ankle injury. Paris Saint-Germain's Lee, an attacking midfielder, has joined the squad but is not fully fit due to an Achilles issue. Both play key roles in ball progression and chance creation.

Kim Min-jae of Bayern Munich puts his hands on his face during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 second leg match between Bayern Munich and Atalanta in Munich on March 18. [EPA/YONHAP]

Defender Kim Min-jae is the only one of the three core players fully match-fit.

Additional absences in defensive midfield further complicate selection. Park Yong-woo and Won Du-jae are both unavailable, increasing the need for alternatives in screening the defense and maintaining midfield balance.

Hong had planned to build his system around the trifecta of Son, Lee and Kim. With two of the three out of sorts, the focus has shifted to identifying viable alternatives and adjusting the tactical structure.

Before departing from Incheon International Airport, Hong emphasized performance in the upcoming matches as the primary selection criteria.

“How much competitiveness the players show by May will be the key standard for selection and starting roles," he said.

This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.
BY SONG JI-HOON [[email protected]]