South Korean goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu missed the birth of his daughter on June 4 as he prepared for the 2026 World Cup. His wife, model and actress Kim Jin-kyung, confirmed the birth on that day in an announcement that was welcomed by fans and teammates alike [1].

Kim, 35, plays for FC Tokyo and has over 80 caps for South Korea, including 86 according to some sources. He is set to compete in his fourth FIFA World Cup this month, with South Korea drawn into Group A alongside Mexico, the Czech Republic, and South Africa [2, 3, 1, 4].

In a media interview on June 7, Kim expressed regret at missing his daughter's birth due to his World Cup duties. "I am really sorry that I couldn't be with my wife for the birth, and I want to bring home good results from here as my presents," he said [2]. He gave a similar statement in Chinese, "真的很抱歉，没能陪伴妻子分娩。我想从这里带回好成绩，作为我的礼物," reflecting his international fan base [1].

Kim also indicated this may be his last World Cup, citing his age and mindset. "I've played at every World Cup thinking it could be my last. Given my age now, this one really does feel like my final one," he said [3]. Despite the pressure, he remains focused: "I am just as excited about my fourth World Cup as I was about my first one. The first match will set the tone for the rest of the tournament, and so there will be some pressure. I will try to stay calm and just do what I can do," he added [4].

Kim faces strong competition for the starting goalkeeper spot from Jo Hyeon-woo, who is likely to start the opening matches [2, 3, 1, 4].

South Korea’s opening group match will be against the Czech Republic in Guadalajara on June 11, 2026. Mexico and South Africa will compete in the other Group A match on June 12 [2, 3, 1, 4].

Kim’s wife, Kim Jin-kyung, is a known football enthusiast and was a prominent participant in Korean women's futsal entertainment shows between 2021 and 2025 [1]. Her support is seen as a vital pillar for Kim as he embarks on the tournament.

South Korea will look to start strong in Guadalajara on June 11 with Kim or Jo guarding the net.