25/06/2026 South Korea's unexpected 1-0 victory in the World Cup relegated Son Heung-min and his teammates to third place, triggering an anxious wait to verify their advancement to the round of 32. The result highlighted concerns about the team's identity both with and without their talisman Son.
15/06/2026 South Korea coach Hong Myung-Bo made a shocking selection by leaving captain Son Heung-min out of the decisive Group A World Cup clash against South Africa on 15 June 2026. Son, the team's spearhead, was replaced by Oh Hyeon-Gyu after South Korea lost 1-0 to Mexico in their campaign-opening match.
2026 Son Heung-min was officially chosen for his fourth World Cup tournament in 2026, having been included in South Korea's roster for the event in the United States. The 33-year-old, who departed Tottenham Hotspur last year, is currently competing with Major League Soccer team Los Angeles FC.
2026 Following South Korea's early exit from the 2026 World Cup, captain Son Heung-min publicly apologized to the nation's football fans. He requested encouragement rather than criticism and vowed to 'run to death' for the country in future matches.
