Amid the still fierce controversy, the second list of Hong Myung-bo will be announced.
Coach Hong Myung-bo will hold a press conference at 11 a.m. on the 30th at the Korea Football Center in Sinmun-ro, Seoul, and announce the list of two consecutive rounds of Jordan and Iraq in the third Asian qualifying round for the 2026 FIFA North-China World Cup. It has been six days since he appeared as a witness at the National Assembly’s Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee on the 24th.
When asked about pending issues at the committee, Hong Myung-bo said, “I don’t think there was any unfairness or preferential treatment. I have no intention of resigning over this issue.” He added, “The World Cup qualifying round is just around the corner. I think it is my duty to strengthen the team for the rest of the year and produce good results at the World Cup.” He expressed his commitment to focus on the role of the national team’s head coach.
Amid the chaotic atmosphere, coach Hong Myung-bo will focus on the final inspection of the national team this weekend. First of all, the team has to form a second list in less than a month after its first and second World Cup qualifiers against Palestine and Oman earlier this month, and since the team lacked time to check players due to schedules such as attendance at the National Assembly, the big frame of the national team roster for September is expected to be maintained.
However, there is a possibility of change in some positions. In particular, attention is focusing on whether Lee Young-joon (Grathhofer), a European striker who has been in good condition by scoring his second goal of the recent season, will be selected as a surprise. Oh Se-hoon (Machida Zelbia) showed a possibility this month, but a change of entry could be made given that veteran striker Joo Min-gyu (Ulsan HD) has been sluggish and silent for a long time. Lee’s performance was checked by Portugal’s head coach João Aroso.
European players such as Bae Joon-ho (Stoke City) and Hong Hyun-suk (Minutes 05) who were excluded from the first list of players Hong Myung-bo will also likely return to the national team. Chances are high that Kim Moon-hwan (Daejeon Hana Citizen), who left the team due to injury despite Hong’s call, will also be given another chance. On top of that, “surprise recruitment” by coaches such as Hong could be added.
Instead, Choi Woo-jin (Incheon United) and Jung Ho-yeon (Gwangju FC), who failed to get a chance to play or did not play for a long time despite the call of Hong Myung-bo in the last match against Palestine and Oman, are likely to be excluded from the list. It is also important to check the physical conditions of players who have recently suffered injury such as Jung Woo-young (Ulsan).
Team Hong Myung-bo is also on the cutting board in terms of performance, as it tied 0-0 at home with Palestine ranked 96th right after the inauguration of the FIFA, and narrowly secured a win at the last minute of the second half in an away match against Oman. If the results do not show good performance in the two consecutive matches next month, public criticism against Hong will intensify. It is expected that Hong will deeply agonize over whether to perform at his best. 토토사이트
The match against Jordan will take place in Amman, Jordan, at 11 p.m. on the 10th (Korea time). The match against Iraq will be held at home at 8 p.m. on the 15th. The home game will most likely be held at Yongin Mir Stadium due to grass problems at the Seoul World Cup Stadium.