The Republic of Korea national football team is ready for another exciting FIFA World Cup journey as the Taegeuk Warriors prepare for the 2026 tournament in North America. South Korea enters the competition with a balanced squad filled with experienced international stars, rising young talents, and several Europe-based players who are expected to play key roles on the biggest football stage.
Under the leadership of head coach Hong Myung-bo, South Korea will compete in Group A alongside Mexico, South Africa, and Czechia. The team will begin its campaign on June 11 against Czechia at Guadalajara Stadium before facing two more crucial group-stage matches.
Captain Son Heung-min remains the face of South Korean football and will once again carry the hopes of millions of supporters. The veteran forward brings experience, leadership, and world-class attacking quality to a squad aiming to reach the knockout stages once again.
South Korea enters the FIFA World Cup 2026 ranked 25th in the FIFA rankings as of April 1, 2026. This marks the nation’s twelfth World Cup appearance, highlighting its long-standing consistency as one of Asia’s strongest football nations.
South Korea World Cup 2026 Team Overview
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Country | Republic of Korea |
| Confederation | AFC |
| Nickname | Taegeuk Warriors |
| Head Coach | Hong Myung-bo |
| Captain | Son Heung-min |
| FIFA Ranking | 25th |
| World Cup Appearances | 12 |
| Kit Manufacturer | Nike |
| Group | Group A |
The squad features strong defensive organization led by Bayern Munich center-back Kim Min-jae, while creative players like Lee Kang-in and Hwang Hee-chan add pace and attacking flair.
South Korea Final 26-Player Squad for FIFA World Cup 2026
Goalkeepers
| Player | Age | Club |
|---|---|---|
| Jo Hyeon-woo | 38 | Ulsan HD FC |
| Kim Seung-gyu | 35 | FC Tokyo |
| Song Bum-keun | 28 | Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors |
Defenders
| Player | Age | Club |
|---|---|---|
| Kim Min-jae | 29 | Bayern Munich |
| Cho Yu-min | 26 | Sharjah FC |
| Lee Han-beom | 28 | FC Midtjylland |
| Kim Tae-hyeon | 26 | Kashima Antlers |
| Park Jin-seob | 27 | Zhejiang FC |
| Lee Gi-hyuk | 26 | Gangwon FC |
| Lee Tae-seok | 26 | Austria Wien |
| Seol Young-woo | 27 | FK Crvena zvezda |
| Jens Castrop | 22 | Borussia Monchengladbach |
| Kim Moon-hwan | 33 | Daejeon Hana Citizen FC |
Midfielders
| Player | Age | Club |
|---|---|---|
| Yang Hyun-jun | 24 | Celtic FC |
| Paik Seung-ho | 29 | Birmingham City FC |
| Hwang In-beom | 29 | Feyenoord Rotterdam |
| Kim Jin-gyu | 28 | Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors |
| Bae Jun-ho | 23 | Stoke City FC |
| Eom Ji-sung | 24 | Swansea City |
| Hwang Hee-chan | 30 | Wolverhampton Wanderers |
| Lee Dong-gyeong | 28 | Ulsan HD FC |
| Lee Jae-sung | 33 | Mainz 05 |
| Lee Kang-in | 25 | Paris Saint-Germain |
Forwards
| Player | Age | Club |
|---|---|---|
| Oh Hyeon-gyu | 25 | Besiktas |
| Son Heung-min (C) | 33 | Los Angeles FC |
| Cho Gue-sung | 28 | FC Midtjylland |
South Korea FIFA World Cup 2026 Schedule (KST)
| Date (KST) | Match | Venue | Kickoff Time (KST) |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 12, 2026 | South Korea vs Czechia | Guadalajara Stadium, Guadalajara | 11:00 AM |
| June 19, 2026 | Mexico vs South Korea | Guadalajara Stadium, Guadalajara | 10:00 AM |
| June 25, 2026 | South Africa vs South Korea | Monterrey Stadium, Monterrey | 10:00 AM |
South Korea’s squad combines tactical discipline, international experience, and attacking creativity, making them one of the most dangerous AFC teams in the tournament. Fans will closely watch whether the Taegeuk Warriors can deliver another memorable FIFA World Cup campaign and challenge for a deep run in 2026.