With the final roster announcement for Hong Myung-bo's squad for the 2026 FIFA North and Central American World Cup imminent, attention is focused on whether Lee Seung-woo of Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, who has been delivering standout performances in K League 1, will be selected.
The Korea Football Association will announce the 26-man final roster for Hong Myung-bo's squad at the KT Gwanghwamun Building's West Onmadang at 4:30 p.m. on the 16th.
While core attacking and defensive players such as captain Son Heung-min (LAFC), Lee Kang-in (Paris Saint-Germain) and Kim Min-jae (Bayern Munich) are widely expected to make the cut, Lee Seung-woo's name has emerged as one of the candidates for a surprise selection.
Lee has recorded three goals and one assist in 13 K League 1 matches this season. The raw numbers are not particularly impressive, but the quality of his contributions stands out. All three goals came after he was introduced as a second-half substitute and earned his team points. It effectively demonstrates his ability as a joker in World Cup terms. In the "Hyundai Family Derby" against Ulsan on April 4, he scored his first goal of the season to lead the team to a 2-0 win. On the 5th against Gwangju, he converted a penalty kick he had drawn himself, contributing to a 4-0 rout. In an away match against Anyang on the 10th, he scored with his team trailing 0-1, rescuing them from the brink of defeat. The goal against Anyang was particularly notable as it came while manager Hong Myung-bo was watching.
Despite his recent sparkling performances, Lee faces stiff competition in his position. Established attacking options such as Son Heung-min, Lee Kang-in and Hwang Hee-chan (Wolverhampton) remain firmly in place. Players backing them up, including Bae Jun-ho (Stoke City) and Cho Gue-sung (Midtjylland), also carry considerable weight. Lee himself has taken a cautious stance. After the Anyang match, he said, "What can I possibly say? A player only shows his ability on the pitch. The choice is for the manager to make."
Even so, Lee's prospects for a World Cup call-up continue to surface because of his "game changer" qualities. His ability to break down defenses through his trademark ingenious dribbling makes it difficult to find a resource capable of surpassing him.
Having featured at the 2018 Russia World Cup, Lee would return to the World Cup stage after eight years if he makes the final roster this time. He came on as a second-half substitute against Sweden and Mexico in the group stage in Russia, but missed out on the final squad for the Qatar tournament four years ago, swallowing his disappointment. At the time, he watched his fellow players' matches in front of the cameras as a broadcast commentator.
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