Hong Myung-bo (56), the head coach, talked about the controversy surrounding Son Heung-min (33, Tottenham), his first career victory, and his selection and use in the national team.

The Korea Football Association held a press conference to announce the national football team roster on the 26th at 11 a.m. at the Korea Football Association Football Center in Jongno-gu, Seoul.

The national football team led by Coach Hong Myung-bo will face Iraq in the 9th round of Group B in the 3rd round of Asian qualifiers for the 2026 North and Central America World Cup, which will take place on June 6 at the Basra International Stadium in Iraq.

After facing Iraq, the team will play against Kuwait in the 10th round at Seoul World Cup Stadium on the 10th. Korea currently leads Group B with 16 points (4 wins, 4 draws). A draw in the match against Iraq would guarantee qualification for the World Cup finals for the 11th consecutive time.

Korea failed to qualify early for the finals after drawing three consecutive matches against Palestine (1-1), Oman (1-1), and Jordan (1-1). Notably, failing to win in the two home matches last March was significant.

Before the official press conference, a squad of 26 was unveiled. The team selected two strikers to lead the front line: Oh Hyun-kyu (Hank) and Oh Se-hoon (Machida Zelvia), and in the midfield, they chose Son Heung-min (Tottenham), Lee Kang-in (Paris Saint-Germain), Yang Hyun-jun (Celtic), Jeon Jin-woo (Jeonbuk), Moon Seon-min (Seoul), Hwang Hee-chan (Wolverhampton), Lee Jae-sung (Mainz), Kim Jin-kyu (Jeonbuk), Hwang In-beom (Feyenoord), Won Doo-jae (Korpakan Club), Park Jin-seob (Jeonbuk), and Park Yong-woo (Al Ain), totaling 12 players.

In defense, nine players were selected: Jo Yu-min (Sharjah), Kwon Kyung-won (Korpakan Club), Lee Han-bum (Midtjylland), Kim Joo-seong (Seoul), Park Seung-wook (Gimcheon), Seol Young-woo (Zvezda), Lee Tae-seok (Pohang), Jo Hyun-taek (Gimcheon), and Choi Jun (Seoul). Three goalkeepers were chosen: Jo Hyeon-woo (Ulsan), Kim Dong-hyun (Gimcheon), and Lee Chang-geun (Daejeon).

Coach Hong Myung-bo noted, "Considering the hot weather, physical burden, and preparation period, we selected the players this time. Our coaching staff prioritized performance and good form in selecting players by position. As you know, at this time, some of the players in Europe are on break after their league seasons have ended. It is true that there were some difficulties in player selection."

It is highly expected that key players Son Heung-min and Kim Min-jae, who are central to the national team's offense and defense, will be absent from this selection due to injuries. Both players have not been able to fully participate in the season due to injuries.

Son Heung-min has participated in matches as a substitute and starter for his team Tottenham after returning from injury, while Kim Min-jae is currently resting after Bayern Munich confirmed their early league victory.

Coach Hong Myung-bo expressed his views regarding the recent controversy surrounding Son Heung-min's private life by stating, "The parts outside the stadium are not within my jurisdiction." This was Coach Hong's response regarding his lack of involvement.

The coach continued, "I communicated with Son Heung-min after the Europa League final and heard directly that there are no major issues in taking the field. I believe it will not affect his performance, which is why he was selected."

After playing about 20 minutes as a substitute in the Europa League, Son Heung-min was left out of the lineup for the final match of the 38th round of the Premier League against Brighton & Hove Albion, held at midnight on the 26th. Prior to this match, Ange Postecoglou, the head coach of Tottenham, explained the reason for Son's absence by saying, "Son Heung-min's foot has not healed completely."

Coach Hong said regarding Son Heung-min's foot condition, "He played for about 20 minutes in the final, and I was told during the communication process that there were no major issues. We plan to utilize him considering the game situation and his condition."

Meanwhile, regarding Son Heung-min's Europa League victory, Coach Hong stated, "Son Heung-min has performed well individually for a long time, but this Europa League victory is very gratifying and proud as it led to the team's success as the captain," and sent a congratulatory message.

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