South Korea announced a 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup on May 16, 2026, with Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder Jens Castrop included as the first player of dual German-Korean heritage to make the national team World Cup roster [1, 2, 3]. Castrop, who has a German father and Korean mother, previously played for Germany at youth levels but switched allegiance to South Korea in 2025. Since then, he has earned five senior caps [1, 2, 3].
The squad is coached by Hong Myung-bo and will start its World Cup campaign on June 11 in Guadalajara with a Group A match against the Czech Republic. South Korea’s Group A opponents also include co-host Mexico and South Africa [1, 2, 3].
Son Heung-min, South Korea’s captain, leads the squad with 54 international goals in 142 appearances. He will be joined in attack by forwards Oh Hyeon-gyu, who has scored 6 goals, and Cho Gue-sung, who has netted 10 [1, 2, 3].
Midfielder Hwang In-beom, with 71 caps, is included despite an ankle injury he suffered in March 2026 while playing for Feyenoord. Coach Hong said Hwang has completed the full training workload but acknowledged his match sharpness is not fully restored. "We expect to raise that match sharpness through the two games we will play once we go to the United States," Hong said, referring to upcoming friendlies against Trinidad and Tobago and El Salvador in Utah [1].
The squad’s goalkeepers are Kim Seung-gyu, Song Bum-keun, and Jo Hyeon-woo. Defenders include Kim Moon-hwan, Kim Min-jae, Kim Tae-hyeon, Park Jin-seop, Seol Young-woo, Jens Castrop, Lee Ki-hyeok, Lee Tae-seok, Lee Han-beom, and Cho Yu-min. Midfielders named alongside Hwang are Kim Jin-gyu, Bae Jun-ho, Paik Seung-ho, Yang Hyun-jun, Eom Ji-sung, Lee Kang-in, Lee Dong-gyeong, and Lee Jae-sung [1, 2, 3].
South Korea will play two pre-World Cup friendlies in June in Utah, USA. Their first World Cup group match against the Czech Republic is scheduled for June 11 in Guadalajara [1, 2, 3].
