Honestly, if you're still thinking of the South Korean national team as just "Son Heung-min and ten other guys," you're living in 2018. It’s a common mistake. But looking at the squad heading into the 2026 cycle, the vibe has shifted. Drastically.
We’re seeing a weird, fascinating transition period where the old guard is moving on—literally, in Son’s case, across the Atlantic—while a bunch of "techy" kids from the K League and European sub-divisions are forcing their way into the starting XI.
The Son Heung-min Dilemma: Captain, Legend, MLS Star
Let’s address the elephant in the room. Son Heung-min is 33 now.
He’s no longer the lightning-fast winger tearing up the Premier League for Tottenham. After his high-profile move to Los Angeles FC (LAFC) in 2025, some critics whispered that he was "winding down." They were wrong. He just won the 2025 MLS Goal of the Year and remains the undisputed heartbeat of the Korean soccer team players.
But here is the nuance most casual fans miss: his role for the national team has changed under manager Hong Myung-bo. He isn't expected to carry the ball 60 yards anymore. He’s the "Closer." He’s there for that one moment of world-class composure in the 88th minute.
Son has 141 caps now. He’s chasing Cha Bum-kun’s scoring record (he needs five more to hit 59). It’s sentimental, sure, but it’s also functional. When Son is on the pitch, defenders double-team him out of habit, which opens up massive pockets of space for the real "danger men" of 2026.
Why Lee Kang-in Is the New Main Character
If Son is the soul, Lee Kang-in is the engine.
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As of January 2026, the biggest story in Korean football isn't a goal; it's a transfer saga. Lee is currently at Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), but the ink is barely dry on reports from Marca and AS suggesting Atlético Madrid is moving heaven and earth to bring him back to Spain.
Why? Because Lee Kang-in is arguably the most creative player Korea has ever produced.
At PSG, he’s been a "super-sub" or a rotational winger, competing with the likes of João Félix and Bradley Barcola. But for Korea? He is the system. Everything goes through his left foot. He’s recorded 3 goals and 2 assists in his last 25 appearances for PSG, but those numbers don't show how he dictates the tempo.
Simeone wants him at Atlético because he’s "quality over quantity." He doesn't just pass; he carves teams open. If this winter transfer to the Metropolitano goes through, we’re going to see a much sharper, more match-fit Lee Kang-in leading the charge in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
The "Monster" in Munich: Kim Min-jae
You can't talk about Korean soccer team players without mentioning the guy who makes the defense work. Kim Min-jae.
He’s 29, in his absolute prime at Bayern Munich.
His 2025-2026 season stats are actually kind of insane for a center-back:
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- Tackles won: 58
- Pass accuracy: 94.5%
- Top speed: 33.41 km/h (Yes, he’s faster than most strikers).
There was some drama recently about him being rotated with Jonathan Tah and Dayot Upamecano at Bayern, but for the national team, he’s the "Wall." He’s the reason Korea can afford to play such an aggressive, high-pressing style.
The New Guard: Names You Need to Know
This is where it gets interesting. Beyond the "Big Three," the roster is filling up with players who aren't household names yet, but they will be.
- Min-hyeok Yang: The kid just went to Tottenham. He’s 19. He’s raw, but he has that "ignore the script" energy that Korea has lacked in the past.
- Oh Hyeon-gyu: Currently at Genk. He’s a physical nightmare for defenders. Unlike the graceful wingers Korea usually produces, Oh is a "battering ram" striker.
- Lee Han-beom: Currently at Midtjylland. He’s emerged as the perfect partner for Kim Min-jae. While Kim is aggressive, Lee is stable and playmakes from the back.
It's a balance. You have the European veterans like Hwang Hee-chan (Wolves) and Hwang In-beom (Feyenoord) providing the floor, while these young kids provide the ceiling.
Recent Form: The U-23 Wake-up Call
It hasn't all been sunshine and rainbows.
The U-23 team just had a massive scare in the AFC U-23 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia. They lost 0-2 to an Uzbekistan U-21 side. Think about that—they lost to a team two years younger than them.
Manager Lee Min-sung called their advancement to the quarterfinals a "chance given by the heavens." It was a reality check. It showed that while the top-tier talent is world-class, the depth in the domestic K League is still catchng up to the tactical sophistication of Western Asia and Europe.
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Common Misconceptions
People think the Korean team is "soft" or easily bullied physically.
That's outdated.
With Kim Min-jae (190cm) and Cho Gue-sung (189cm), this is one of the most physically imposing Korean squads in history. They don't just "out-run" teams anymore; they out-muscle them.
Also, there's a myth that the team is "Son-dependent."
Look at the 4-0 win over Kuwait in the qualifiers. Son didn't have to do everything. Oh Hyeon-gyu and Lee Jae-sung were the ones finding the net. The scoring load is finally being distributed.
What This Means for 2026
The 2026 World Cup is the goal.
South Korea is currently navigating a Group A that looks manageable but tricky. The goal isn't just to qualify; it's to fix the "process." Under Hong Myung-bo, there’s a heavy emphasis on defensive transitions—basically making sure they don't get caught out when Lee Kang-in loses the ball trying a risky through-pass.
If you’re following this team, keep an eye on the January 2026 transfer window. If Lee Kang-in moves to Atlético and Min-hyeok Yang starts getting minutes at Spurs, the "threat level" of this team triples.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Watch the Lee Kang-in situation: Check the final week of the January window. If he lands at Atlético Madrid, his tactical development under Simeone will be the most important factor for the national team's defense-to-offense transition.
- Monitor Min-jae's minutes: If Bayern Munich continues to favor Tah/Upamecano, look for rumors of a summer move. A match-rusty Kim Min-jae is the only thing that could truly sink Korea's defense.
- Track the U-23 Quarterfinals: See if the younger players can bounce back against Australia. This will tell us if the next generation has the mental toughness to support the senior squad.