South Korea captain Son picked for fourth World Cup

Breaking news from the world of sport: South Korea captain Son picked for fourth World CupImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Son Heung-min won last season's Europa League with Spurs before moving to AmericaByElizabeth HudsonBBC Sport JournalistPublished16 May 2026, 09:29 BSTUpdated 1 minute agoFormer Tottenham Hotspur forward Son Heung-min has been selected for his fourth World Cup, after the South Korea captain was named in their squad for the tournament. The 33-year-old left Spurs last year and now plays for Major League Soccer side Los Angeles FC.

South Korea start their campaign against the Czech Republic on 12 June and then face co-hosts Mexico on 19 June, with both games in Guadalajara, before finishing their Group A schedule against South Africa on 25 June in Monterrey. Son is part of an experienced squad named by coach Hong Myung-bo, which also features Wolves forward Hwang Hee-chan and fellow British-based midfielders Bae Jun-ho (Stoke), Paik Seung-ho (Birmingham), Yang Hyun-jun of Celtic and Swansea's Eom Ji-sung.

Also included are Paris St-Germain midfielder Lee Kang-in, Bayern Munich defender Kim Min-jae and German-born defender Jens Castrop of Borussia Monchengladbach, the first player with dual heritage to make a South Korea World Cup squad. Castrop, who has a German father and Korean mother, played at age-group level for Germany but has represented South Korea five times since switching allegiance last year.

The story has climbed to the top of the sports agenda, with fans and analysts following closely.