World Cup 3rd qualifying round 26-player list announced
Match against Jordan on the 10th and Iraq on the 15th.
Hong Myung-bo, coach of the national soccer team, is holding a press conference at the Soccer Center in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 30th to announce the roster of the national team that will participate in the 2026 North and Central America World Cup Asia 3rd round qualifier in October. News 1 Son Heung-min, who suffered a hamstring injury, was named to the national soccer team for the second consecutive international match in October. However, participation in the game is unclear.
On the 30th, coach Hong Myung-bo of the national soccer team announced the list of national teams to be convened for the 2026 North and Central America World Cup Asia 3rd Round Qualifier in October 2026 through a press conference held at the Soccer Center in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Korea will play a visiting game against Jordan on the 10th and face Iraq on the 15th at Mir Stadium in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province.
When Director Hong announced the list that day, he first talked about Son Heung-min. Coach Hong said, “I communicated directly with Son Heung-min, and although he is not in a condition to play right now, he said he was feeling his injured area gradually improving, so I included him in the list,” and added, “(Son Heung-min’s team) Tottenham is also unable to play in the game right now.” It seems that they decided that it was not possible to do so. “There is still time, so we will decide whether Son Heung-min will play or not depending on the situation.” Son Heung-min withdrew to the bench in the 25th minute of the UEFA Europa League match against Garabach on the 27th of last month, complaining of thigh pain. He did not play in the English Premier League (EPL) match against Manchester United held on the morning of the 30th, the day the national team roster was announced.
Coach Hong said he had no intention of forcing Son Heung-min to play. Coach Hong said, “Son Heung-min had a very difficult schedule going back and forth between the national team and his own team. “It’s important now, but the most important thing is performance when we get to the World Cup finals, so the team and the Football Association will continue to communicate and find a way,” he said. Coach Hong also explained alternatives in case Son Heung-min is unable to play in the two-game international match in October. Coach Hong said, “I can’t guarantee what impact it will have if Son Heung-min doesn’t play, but players like Hwang Hee-chan, Lee Jae-sung, and Bae Jun-ho can take his place.”
Midfielder Kwon Hyuk-gyu, who plays for Hibernian in the Scottish League, was selected for the A national team for the first time. Goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu, who suffered a ruptured knee cruciate ligament in January during the Asian Cup, returned to the national team eight months later.
Reporter Kim Jeong-hoon hun@donga.com
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