This comprehensive guide details the South Korea National Football Team Squad for 2024. Get the full list of players, along with insights into the team’s coach, captain, and home stadium. We’ll also chart their upcoming fixtures, so you can stay on top of all the action.
The South Korea national football team represents South Korea in men’s international football and is governed by the Korea Football Association. South Korea has emerged as a major football power in Asia since the 1980s, having participated in ten consecutive and eleven overall FIFA World Cup tournaments, the most for any Asian country.
Despite initially going through five World Cup tournaments without winning a match, South Korea became the first Asian team to reach the semi-finals when they co-hosted the 2002 tournament with Japan. South Korea also won two AFC Asian Cup titles, and finished as runners-up on four occasions. Furthermore, the team won three gold medals and three silver medals at the senior Asian Games.
South Korea National Football Team Players, Current squad
This is South Korea team for FIFA World Cup 2026, South Korea National Football Team Players for other Tournament like Euro 2024. South Korea Squad for International Friendlies, AFC Asian Cup, Asian Games, EAFF Championship, and World Cup qualifying.
| No. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Song Bum-keun | 15 October 1997 (age 26) | 1 | 0 | Shonan Bellmare | |
| 12 | Lee Chang-geun | 30 August 1993 (age 30) | 1 | 0 | Daejeon Hana Citizen | |
| 21 | Jo Hyeon-woo | 25 September 1991 (age 32) | 31 | 0 | Ulsan HD | |
| Defenders | ||||||
| 2 | Lee Myung-jae | 4 November 1993 (age 30) | 1 | 0 | Ulsan HD | |
| 3 | Kim Jin-su | 13 June 1992 (age 31) | 72 | 2 | Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors | |
| 4 | Kim Min-jae | 15 November 1996 (age 27) | 63 | 4 | Bayern Munich | |
| 15 | Kim Moon-hwan | 1 August 1995 (age 28) | 27 | 0 | Al-Duhail | |
| 19 | Kim Young-gwon | 27 February 1990 (age 34) | 111 | 7 | Ulsan HD | |
| 20 | Kwon Kyung-won | 31 January 1992 (age 32) | 30 | 2 | Suwon FC | |
| 22 | Seol Young-woo | 5 December 1998 (age 25) | 16 | 0 | Ulsan HD | |
| 23 | Cho Yu-min | 17 November 1996 (age 27) | 5 | 0 | Sharjah | |
| Midfielders | ||||||
| 5 | Park Jin-seop | 23 October 1995 (age 28) | 6 | 1 | Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors | |
| 6 | Hwang In-beom | 20 September 1996 (age 27) | 58 | 6 | Red Star Belgrade | |
| 7 | Son Heung-min (captain) | 8 July 1992 (age 31) | 125 | 46 | Tottenham Hotspur | |
| 8 | Paik Seung-ho | 17 March 1997 (age 27) | 17 | 3 | Birmingham City | |
| 10 | Lee Jae-sung | 10 August 1992 (age 31) | 86 | 11 | Mainz 05 | |
| 11 | Song Min-kyu | 12 September 1999 (age 24) | 14 | 1 | Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors | |
| 13 | Hong Hyun-seok | 16 June 1999 (age 24) | 11 | 0 | Gent | |
| 14 | Jeong Ho-yeon | 28 September 2000 (age 23) | 1 | 0 | Gwangju FC | |
| 17 | Jeong Woo-yeong | 20 September 1999 (age 24) | 22 | 4 | VfB Stuttgart | |
| 18 | Lee Kang-in | 19 February 2001 (age 23) | 27 | 7 | Paris Saint-Germain | |
| Forwords | ||||||
| 9 | Cho Gue-sung | 25 January 1998 (age 26) | 39 | 9 | Midtjylland | |
| 16 | Joo Min-kyu | 13 April 1990 (age 34) | 2 | 0 | Ulsan HD | |
Recent call-ups
The following players have also been called up to the South Korea squad within the last twelve months.
| Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kim Seung-gyu | 30 September 1990 (age 33) | 81 | 0 | Al-Shabab |
| Kim Jun-hong | 3 June 2003 (age 20) | 0 | 0 | Gimcheon Sangmu |
| Kim Tae-hwan | 24 July 1989 (age 34) | 31 | 0 | Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors |
| Jung Seung-hyun | 3 April 1994 (age 30) | 25 | 1 | Al-Wasl |
| Lee Ki-je | 9 July 1991 (age 32) | 14 | 0 | Suwon Samsung Bluewings |
| Kim Ju-sung | 12 December 2000 (age 23) | 2 | 0 | FC Seoul |
| Kim Ji-soo | 24 December 2004 (age 19) | 0 | 0 | Brentford B |
| Kang Sang-woo | 7 October 1993 (age 30) | 3 | 0 | FC Seoul |
| Ahn Hyeon-beom | 21 December 1994 (age 29) | 1 | 0 | Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors |
| Park Ji-soo | 13 June 1994 (age 29) | 16 | 0 | Wuhan Three Towns |
| Park Kyu-hyun | 14 April 2001 (age 23) | 2 | 0 | Dynamo Dresden |
| Um Won-sang | 6 January 1999 (age 25) | 7 | 0 | Ulsan HD |
| Hwang Hee-chan | 26 January 1996 (age 28) | 64 | 13 | Wolverhampton Wanderers |
| Moon Seon-min | 9 June 1992 (age 31) | 16 | 2 | Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors |
| Park Yong-woo | 10 September 1993 (age 30) | 14 | 0 | Al-Ain |
| Lee Soon-min | 22 May 1994 (age 29) | 4 | 0 | Daejeon Hana Citizen |
| Yang Hyun-jun | 25 May 2002 (age 21) | 3 | 0 | Celtic |
| Lee Dong-gyeong | 20 September 1997 (age 26) | 8 | 1 | Gimcheon Sangmu |
| Na Sang-ho | 12 August 1996 (age 27) | 28 | 2 | Machida Zelvia |
| Won Du-jae | 18 November 1997 (age 26) | 7 | 0 | Gimcheon Sangmu |
| Son Jun-ho | 12 May 1992 (age 32) | 20 | 0 | Kunyoong FC |
| Oh Hyeon-gyu | 12 April 2001 (age 23) | 11 | 0 | Celtic |
| Hwang Ui-jo | 28 August 1992 (age 31) | 62 | 19 | Alanyaspor |
Support staff
| Position | Name |
|---|---|
| Caretaker manager | Hwang Sun-hong |
| Assistant manager | Michael Kim |
| Coach | Cho Yong-hyung |
| Jung Jo-gook | |
| Goalkeeping coach | Kim Il-jin |
| Fitness coach | Lee Jae-hong |
| Technical advisor | Lee Young-jin |
Who is Captain of South Korea National Football Team?
South Korea National Football Team Led by captain Son Heung-min.
What is South Korea’s nickname for their national football team?
South Korea actually has two main nicknames for their national football team:
- Taegeuk Warriors (태극전사): This name references the Taegeuk symbol, which is a prominent feature on the South Korean flag. It represents both balance and power, reflecting the desired qualities of the national team.
- Tigers of Asia (아시아의 호랑이): This nickname highlights the team’s reputation as a strong force within Asian football. Tigers are often seen as symbols of strength and ferocity.
How many World Cups has South Korea won?
South Korea has not won any FIFA World Cups to date. They achieved an impressive fourth place finish while co-hosting the tournament in 2002, but haven’t secured the top spot yet.
Who is the head coach of the South Korea national football team?
Hwang Sun-hong is the current head coach of the South Korea national football team.
South Korea National Football Team Home Ground
The South Korean National Football Team doesn’t have one designated home stadium. They play their home matches at various stadiums around the country, which are also used by K League clubs.
However, the most frequent venue used is the Seoul World Cup Stadium located in Seoul, South Korea. This stadium was built for the 2002 FIFA World Cup and is the second largest stadium in the country.
South Korea National Football Team Next Fixtures 2024
The South Korea National Football Team has two upcoming fixtures in 2024 for FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifying matches:
- Thursday, June 6th, 2024 @ 1:00 PM against Singapore (away)
- Tuesday, June 11th, 2024 @ 4:00 AM (your local time) – opponent to be announced (home)
South Korea National Football Team History
The South Korean national football team, known as the Taegeuk Warriors, boasts a rich history filled with moments of triumph, heartbreak, and unwavering passion. From their early struggles to their status as Asian powerhouses, South Korea’s football journey reflects the nation’s own development and determination.
Early Days and First World Cup (1945-1958)
Following the liberation from Japanese occupation in 1945, South Korean football found its footing. The Korea Football Association (KFA) was established in 1948, allowing the team to compete internationally. Their initial years were marked by inexperience, but a spark ignited in 1954 when South Korea qualified for the first-ever FIFA World Cup held in Switzerland. Despite facing strong European teams and losing all their group stage matches, the participation marked a significant milestone.
Building a Foundation: The 1960s and 1970s
The 1960s and 1970s saw South Korea focus on development. The establishment of the “Yangzee” youth training system in 1967 laid the groundwork for future success. This period also witnessed the emergence of Cha Bum-Kun, a prolific striker who would become a national legend. South Korea started making their mark in Asia, winning their first Asian Cup title in 1960 and finishing runners-up in 1964. They qualified for the 1966 World Cup in England but again couldn’t advance from the group stage.
Golden Generation and a Historic Feat (1976-1986)
The 1970s ushered in a golden generation of South Korean footballers. Led by players like Huh Jung-Moo and Park Jong-Ho, the team captured their second Asian Cup title in 1972. The “Red Fury,” as they were nicknamed for their aggressive style, qualified for the 1978 World Cup in Argentina. This time, they secured their first ever World Cup victory, defeating Italy 2-1. Their journey ended in the second round, but the win against Italy remains etched in Korean footballing history.
South Korea co-hosted the 1986 World Cup with Mexico. The passionate home support fueled their performance, and they reached the knockout stages for the first time. However, a controversial refereeing decision in their quarter-final match against Argentina sparked outrage and disappointment.
Unified Dream and World Cup Shock (1990s)
The 1990s brought a unique chapter. In the 1991 World Cup qualifiers, a unified Korean team was formed, featuring players from both North and South Korea. The experiment, though symbolically significant, proved short-lived. South Korea continued their regional dominance, winning the Asian Cup in 1996. However, the 1998 World Cup in France became a source of national heartbreak. Dubbed the “Daegu Incident,” a questionable red card against Italy in the group stage ultimately led to their elimination.
Hiddink’s Magic and Semi-final Glory (2002)
The turn of the millennium brought a new wave of optimism. Guus Hiddink, a Dutch coaching legend, took charge of the South Korean team. Under his guidance, the team displayed a blend of technical skill and tactical discipline. Co-hosting the 2002 World Cup with Japan provided an extra push. South Korea defied expectations, defeating European giants like Portugal and Italy en route to a historic semi-final appearance. Although they eventually lost to Germany, the “Miracle of Daegu” cemented their place as a force to be reckoned with.
Post-Hiddink Era and Consistent Progress (2000s-Present)
The post-Hiddink era witnessed a period of transition. South Korea continued to qualify for every World Cup but couldn’t replicate the heights of 2002. However, they found success in Asia, winning the 2007 Asian Cup and reaching the final in 2015. The emergence of players like Park Ji-Sung and Son Heung-Min ensured a consistent presence of world-class talent.
A new generation of South Korean footballers, dubbed the “London Generation” due to the presence of several players who played in England, are carrying the torch forward. Son Heung-Min, the current captain, is a global superstar, and players like Hwang Ui-jo and Kim Min-Jae are making their mark. South Korea continues to be a dominant force in Asia, aiming to not only qualify for the 2026 World Cup but also challenge for the title.
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