Son Heung-min (34, LAFC) will attempt to become the Korean player with the most World Cup goals.
The national soccer team, led by coach Hong Myung-bo, was placed in Group A at the 2026 CONCACAF World Cup alongside host Mexico, South Africa and the Czech Republic. Korea will play all three group-stage matches in Mexico.
This will be Son Heung-min's final World Cup. Now in his mid-30s, Son Heung-min will play in the World Cup as captain of the Republic of Korea. Son Heung-min also holds the record for most appearances by a Korean soccer player in A internationals (142 matches). In terms of most goals, Son Heung-min has 54 goals, four behind Cha Bum-kun's 58.
"Eternal captain" Park Ji-sung offered advice to Son Heung-min. When Park Ji-sung was captain, Son Heung-min was the youngest member; he has now become a pillar supporting Korean soccer.
Park Ji-sung said, "Son Heung-min will be a player with more World Cup experience than I had. He is not a player who needs my advice. I only hope that, without injury, in what may be his last World Cup he does what he wants to do without regret and brings back the best possible result."
The record for most World Cup goals by a Korean player is three, held by Park Ji-sung, Ahn Jung-hwan and Son Heung-min. In particular, Park Ji-sung scored in three consecutive World Cups in 2002, 2006 and 2010. If Son Heung-min scores this time, he will become the leading World Cup scorer for Korea with four goals. He would also become a player who scored in three World Cups, like Park Ji-sung.
Park Ji-sung said, "Many people believe he will score in this World Cup as well. He will show performances that meet expectations. Son Heung-min has broken many records. I think he will again become the Korean player who has scored the most goals at the World Cup," and he wished for the younger player's success.
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