“There are shortcomings due to my young age, but I play soccer accurately.”
Incheon United’s “born in 2004” flanker Choi Woo-jin has been named in the third preliminary round of the 2026 North Korea-China World Cup Asian region announced by national soccer team coach Hong Myung-bo at the National Football Center in Sinmun-ro, Seoul on Wednesday. He has become a “new face” for the A-team along with Yang Hyun-joon, Hwang Moon-ki (Gangwon FC), and Lee Han-beom (FC Seoul).
Choi entered the K-League last year wearing the Incheon uniform. He made his debut as a starter at a 31st round match against Gangwon on Sept. 24, and made his debut as a starter at a match against Gwangju in the 35th round. Having scored one goal and one assist in five matches last season, Choi has established himself as an indispensable player in the team’s history by playing in 21 matches this season and posting four assists.
It is a choice for the “future” rather than an immediate sense of strength. Currently, the biggest concern for the national team is its side defense position. The national team has long been suffering from “famine” in its side defenders, especially on the left side. There is no new face except Kim Jin-soo, who has been sitting on the left side, and Seol Young-woo and Lee Myung-jae, who have been on the national team since last year. This is why Hong has newly appointed Choi Woo-jin.
Coach Hong, who has been keeping an eye on Choi Woo-jin, visited the Incheon Football Stadium, where the match between Incheon and Jeonbuk Hyundai was held on the 24th. Choi Woo-jin played as a left-side defender and worked with Kim Gun-hee, Yonichi and Chung Dong-yoon as four backs.
“In case of Choi Woo-jin, I saw him when playing in the K-League. I felt he had the potential. I thought he was a good player, but I watched two games of Incheon. I see left-side defenders in the form of four-back, and he plays soccer very accurately,” Hong said in a press conference after the announcement of the team’s roster. “Side defense position is a concern for Korean soccer. I lack many parts due to my young age, but I am an interesting player.” 메이저놀이터
Choi Woo-jin said in an interview with Sports Seoul after the selection, “I never thought about it, but I’m surprised to hear the news,” adding, “I’ve always played soccer aiming for the national team, and I feel good because the opportunity came faster than I thought. On the other hand, it’s just the beginning, so I’m nervous and nervous.”
Meanwhile, Hong has called up five sidelines defenders to this list. They are Lee Myung-jae and Choi Woo-jin on the left and Kim Moon-hwan and Hwang Moon-ki on the right. Seol can play both sides.