Final Assessment 100 Days Before World Cup

South Korean national team coach Hong Myung-bo held a press conference at Cheonan Football Center in South Chungcheong Province on the 19th, announcing a 27-man squad for the March European friendly tour. These matches represent the final testing ground before the announcement of the final roster for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, scheduled for May.

South Korea will face Ivory Coast at 11 PM (Korea time) on March 28 in Milton Keynes, England, and Austria at 3:45 AM on April 1 in Vienna, Austria. The national team will depart from Incheon International Airport on the 23rd, conduct local training, play both matches, and return home.

Son Heung-min Maintains Captaincy Despite MLS Adaptation Struggles

The most closely watched player is undoubtedly captain Son Heung-min (LA FC). Since transferring to Major League Soccer's LA FC in January, Son has appeared in seven matches but has failed to score a single goal from open play. His only goal came from a free kick.

Particularly challenging has been his unfamiliar role as a central midfielder at LA FC, a departure from his position at Tottenham. Nevertheless, Coach Hong has maintained his trust in Son, keeping him as captain and including him in the squad.

Coach Hong explained, "We've composed the squad centered on players showing good form at their clubs," adding that "this roster is not the final World Cup squad, and the composition may change depending on players' performance during the remaining period."

Yang Hyun-jun's Comeback, Won Du-jae Excluded Due to Injury

A notable change in this squad is the recall of Celtic (Scotland) winger Yang Hyun-jun after a nine-month absence. Yang had been excluded from the national team since the final World Cup qualifying match in June last year, now receiving another opportunity.

Coach Hong stated, "Yang Hyun-jun has been on a good run with six goals since last December," adding that "he scored two goals in his most recent match and is brimming with confidence. We expect him to show good form in these friendlies as well."

Meanwhile, Won Du-jae of UAE's Khorfakkan was excluded from the roster due to injury. Lee Myung-jae of Daejeon Hana Citizen and Yang Min-hyuk of Coventry (England) were also omitted.

Hong Hyun-seok of Gent (Belgium) and Bae Jun-ho of Stoke City (England) were recalled. Interestingly, Castrop, who was classified as a midfielder in the November squad, has been registered as a defender this time.

Core Strength Maintained, Europe-Based Players Central

Most key players who participated in friendlies against Bolivia and Ghana in November have been retained. The squad centers on players active in major European leagues, including Kim Min-jae (Bayern Munich), Lee Jae-sung (Mainz), and Lee Kang-in (Paris Saint-Germain).

Coach Hong plans to finalize the World Cup roster in mid-May before entering a pre-tournament training camp in the United States. With the World Cup opening scheduled for early June, these March friendlies represent the final substantial opportunity to assess the team's strength.

South Korea aims to advance from the group stage at the World Cup, and plans to refine tactical completeness through these friendly matches against European powerhouses.