Son Heung-min (34, LAFC), the ace of South Korea's national football team who has joined the squad's pre-camp in the United States, expressed his excitement ahead of his fourth World Cup, saying, "I always feel like a child when the World Cup comes around."
Beginning training for the 2026 North American World Cup at the Zions Bank Training Center in Herriman, near Salt Lake City, Utah, on Wednesday (local time), Son said, "It doesn't matter how many times you've been to the World Cup. It's the result of every player's hard work, from the second round of qualifying through the final round." He added, "I want to prepare well with the same excitement as if it were my first time, and play good matches in top condition."
Son joined the team's accommodations late the previous night after completing matches with his club. At the Qatar World Cup four years ago, he had to play wearing a protective mask due to a facial fracture, but this time he heads to the World Cup in full health. He is, however, four years older than he was in Qatar.
"I've never lacked confidence when playing football," Son said, "but I was very worried about my condition coming here amid a tight schedule. The fact that I've arrived here without injuries or any problems is itself very good news."
He emphasized, "At the World Cup, players' skill levels differ by only a paper's thickness. But within that paper's thickness, an enormous amount of detail is required. Things like which direction to play a pass and how to develop the play afterward have to be aligned through training. You need to know where your teammates are even with your eyes closed."
Son was cautious when asked about performance targets. "Of course I want to go further and do better than the last World Cup (round of 16). But results are unpredictable. Our opponents are preparing just as desperately as we are," he said.
He added, "Rather than talking about results already, what matters most is training without regret, giving our best every day. When that's done well, good results will follow happily."
On the tears he has often shown on the World Cup stage, Son said, "I don't think there's any need to hide emotions." He added, "Whether they're tears from my own efforts, from disappointment, or from joy, what matters most is giving my best and having no regrets. I try not to attach too much meaning to those emotions. The World Cup is a festival. Representing your country isn't an opportunity given to just anyone. I want to enjoy that stage and finish it in style."
