Hong Myung-bo, who is aiming to advance to the World Cup finals for the 11th time in a row, will solidify the top spot in the qualifying group through an A-match in November.
The South Korean men’s national soccer team, led by head coach Hong Myung-bo, will convene at Incheon International Airport at 9:30 p.m. on the 10th and leave for Kuwait.
According to the Korea Football Association, 10 players, including Joo Min-kyu, Cho Hyun-woo, Lee Myung-jae (Ulsan HD), Lee Tae-seok (Pohang Steelers), Lee Ki-hyuk (Gangwon FC), Kim Kyung-min (Gwangju FC), Lee Chang-geun, Kim Moon-hwan (Daejeon Hana Citizen), Kim Bong-soo (Kim Cheon-sang-moo), and Oh Se-hoon (Machida Zelvia), will leave for the main camp with Hong and others.
Overseas players such as Son Heung-min (Tottenham), Lee Kang-in (Paris Saint-Germain), and Kim Min-jae (Bayern Munich) are reportedly scheduled to join Kuwait after their team’s schedule.
Hong Myung-bo will play the fifth match of the third Asian qualifying round for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North Korea-China-U.S. at the Jabeur Al-Ahmad International Stadium in Kuwait City, Kuwait, at 11 p.m. on the 14th (Korea time).
After that, he will play the sixth game of the tournament against Palestine on the 19th.
In the case of the Palestinian war, it is held in the neutral zone of Amman, Jordan, due to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
South Korea is currently leading Group B.
Through the first to fourth games held in September and October, he recorded three wins and one draw (10 points).
After the 0-0 draw against Palestine at home, he won three consecutive games to secure the top spot in the group.
If South Korea wins two consecutive A matches this November, it will not only solidify its lead in the group, but also pass the 7th ridge of its target 11th consecutive World Cup finals.
Coach Hong, whose fairness controversy arose during his appointment, is still not fully supported by his fans.
The recently announced audit results of the Korea Football Association by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism also pointed out that there was a problem in the process of Hong’s appointment, but the national team’s soccer continues.
As it is already holding its third convocation, it is expected to boast more improved organizational power than before.
In particular, there is a good news that “captain” Son Heung-min will rejoin the list.
Son Heung-min was excluded from the A-match in October due to a hamstring injury. He is still not in good condition, but the addition of captain Son Heung-min in the away game can be of great help to the team.
On the 8th, Hwang Moon-ki (Gangwon FC), who was first selected, was dropped due to a left thigh injury, but he replaced Kim Moon-hwan (Daejeon Hana Citizen), who can directly replace the position, to minimize the gap.
In addition to Hwang Moon-ki, existing mainstream resources such as Kim Min-jae, Lee Kang-in, and Hwang In-beom (Feyenoord) are expected to form a large framework.
As many as four new faces, including Lee Hyun-joo (Hanover), midfielder Kim Bong-soo (Kim Cheon-sang-moo), flanker Lee Tae-seok (Pohang Steelers), and goalkeeper Kim Kyung-min (Gwangju FC), are expected to be in harmony with the new team.
At a press conference on the 4th to announce the list, Hong said, “This is the last game of this year’s two consecutive away games. It is a very important schedule,” adding, “We have decided to accompany future resources while maintaining the framework of basic feelings,” expressing his willingness to catch both the World Cup preparation process and the result of advancing to the finals.
Except for having to play two away games in the Middle East, where Korean soccer was particularly weak, there is no big difficulty in winning two consecutive games. 메이저놀이터
South Korea has an overwhelming advantage with 12 wins, 4 draws and 8 losses against Kuwait, its first A match opponent in November.
Korea is also 22nd in the FIFA rankings, far ahead of Kuwait, which is 135th.
In the case of Palestine, the all-time record is one draw.
The home game in September was the first A match between the two countries.
Considering that Hong Myung-bo was more organized than at the time and that Palestine is also ranked 100th, it is expected to reach victory without difficulty.
In addition, since it is held in a neutral area, the Palestinians cannot fully take home advantage.