“We will make some changes to the stable framework of the existing national team and operate it future-oriented.”
Coach Hong Myung-bo (55) revealed his management philosophy when he confirmed the list of the first national soccer team’s call-up on August 26. Since then, he has continued his belief by making the call-up list twice until the second and third periods, bringing in young players every time.
Coach Hong announced on the 4th the list of 26 Taegeuk Warriors who will play in the third Asian qualifying round for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North Korea and China and Palestine in November.
Son Heung-min (32, Tottenham), who recovered from a thigh injury, is the most noticeable member of the national team list, but the selection of “Young Gun” is also one of the main characteristics.
Lee Tae-seok (22) and Lee Hyun-joo (21) are in their early 20s among the four players selected for the first time. Both players were unexpectedly picked.
“This year’s two consecutive away matches between Kuwait and Palestine are the last and important schedule for this year. While maintaining the basic framework of the national team, we selected new players and future resources,” Hong said.
This is the line that Hong, who took the helm of the national team for the first time in 10 years, has clearly set.
Three months ago, Hong said, “The World Cup finals have expanded to 48 countries, but it has become more difficult to advance to the round of 16. Considering this, we will make a team of more stable and future-oriented players.”
As he vowed, he consistently selected young players to strengthen his future competitiveness while utilizing key players such as Son Heung-min, Kim Min-jae (28, Bayern Munich), and Hwang In-beom (28, Feyenoord) to pass the third round of the North-China World Cup.
So far, 15 players born in the 2000s have been summoned by Hong. Except for Lee Kang-in (23), who was already the ace player of the national team, 14 players got a golden opportunity in the team’s national team.
Yang Min-hyuk (18, Gangwon), Um Ji-sung (22, Swansea City), Jung Ho-yeon (24, Gwangju), Lee Han-beom (22, Mit Willan), Hwang Jae-won (22, Daegu), and Choi Yu-jin (20, Incheon) were selected on the first list of the A-match Palestinian and Oman games in September.
In the second phase, young blood transfusions stood out. With Um Ji-sung and Lee Han-beom re-appointed, Kwon Hyuk-kyu (23) and Bae Jun-ho (21) of Stoke City, Oh Hyun-kyu (23) and Kim Joo-sung (24) of Seoul, and Kim Joon-hong (21) of Jeonbuk have newly joined Hong Myung-bo. 안전놀이터
Ahead of the final A-match schedule this year, Hong called young players back to the national team. Oh Hyun-kyu and Bae Jun-ho were picked again, while Lee Tae-seok and Lee Hyun-joo were also named. On top of that, Lee Ki-hyuk (24), who can play various positions including fullback, center back and defensive midfielder, also won the national flag for the first time in two years and four months since the 2022 E-1 Championship (East Asian Cup).