With the 2026 World Cup now less than three months away, South Korea’s national football team roster for the March friendlies has been unveiled. The squad will travel to Europe for matches against Côte d’Ivoire in the UK and Austria on their home turf.
Manager Hong Myung-bo has named 27 players, one more than the November squad. Five new faces appear on the list, and the selection reveals significant tactical deliberation—particularly in the midfield.
At the press conference on the 16th, Hong stated: “We need to experiment with the central midfield position before the World Cup begins.”
The Injury Crisis in Central Midfield
The team has suffered consecutive losses of key midfield resources. Park Yong-woo, a regular starter under Hong, tore his ACL while playing for Al Ain last September. Then in February, Won Du-jae—considered the primary replacement—suffered a shoulder injury requiring five months of recovery.
Both players share a common profile: physically strong, defensively reliable midfielders—exactly the type Hong prefers. They also both played under him at Ulsan HD and became trusted regulars. Now, neither will be available for the World Cup.
Who Will Fill the Gap?
The current roster includes six central midfield options: Baek Seung-ho, Park Jin-seop, Hwang In-beom, Hong Hyun-seok, Kim Jin-kyu, and Kwon Hyeok-kyu. Three of these names—Baek, Hwang, and Hong—are new additions compared to the previous call-up.
Hwang In-beom is widely regarded as the anchor. Since 2018 under Paulo Bento, he’s been a consistent starter whenever fit. Despite a recent club injury, Hong included him—demonstrating strong confidence.
If Hwang secures one midfield slot, the main question becomes: who partners him?
Baek Seung-ho (23 caps) brings the most international experience but is considered more attack-minded than Park or Won. His role might overlap with Hwang’s, and he’s also carrying a shoulder issue.
Park Jin-seop excels in work rate and physical duels—more defensively oriented. Under Hong, he’s often played as a defender. This time, he’s listed as a midfielder, raising questions about his future deployment. His versatility across defense and midfield could prove valuable.
Kwon Hyeok-kyu stands out physically at 191cm—a rare height advantage for Korean midfielders. After playing in France, he recently moved to Germany. However, with just one cap, he lacks chemistry with Hong’s system.
Jens Castrop, initially recruited to strengthen the defensive midfield, has seen his role shift at club level. He’s now deployed on the wing or in attacking positions, reportedly not training in central roles. This squad lists him as a defender—suggesting the coaching staff may use him differently going forward.
Kim Jin-kyu and Hong Hyun-seok are offensive-minded midfielders, unsuited to replace the defensive presence of Park or Won. Hong Hyun-seok is viewed as “insurance if Hwang In-beom is unavailable.”
Hong emphasized: “Nothing is decided. Even in May, if someone shows quality, they can make the squad.”
Expert Analysis
MBC commentator Lee Sang-yoon sympathizes completely with Hong’s dilemma: “A stabilizing central midfielder has long been a weakness for Korea. Injuries have made team selection even harder. Baek and Park are ahead based on playing time, but Kwon needs to step up. Experimentation in these friendlies is crucial—tactical adjustments based on opponents should be considered. As Hong said, we must monitor until the last moment. Let’s just hope no more injuries occur.”
Other Areas of Uncertainty
Beyond midfield, questions remain in attack and defense. Korea has been testing a three-back system since early 2025, though recent friendlies showed experimentation with a four-back hybrid approach.
In attack, decisions loom regarding backup options and how to utilize Oh Hyun-gyu, who has been in strong recent form.