Hwang Hee-chan

Hwang Hee-chan is a confirmed forward in South Korea's 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup, named in the final 26 announced on 16 May 2026 by head coach Hong Myung-bo. The Wolverhampton Wanderers attacker is 30 at kick-off and brings 77 senior caps and 16 international goals into the tournament, his third World Cup after Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022.

South Korea were placed in Group A alongside Mexico, South Africa and Czech Republic, with the opener in Zapopan on 11 June. Hong's team booked their place by topping their AFC third-round group in June 2025, scoring freely along the way, and Hwang sits in a forward group that includes captain Son Heung-min.

Hwang is a direct, energetic forward who makes penetrating runs into central positions to get close to goal. He also presses aggressively from the front, and that work without the ball is as much a part of his value to South Korea as his finishing.

His 16 international goals come from a forward who gets himself into central, goalscoring positions. In Hong's 3-4-3 he is one of South Korea's senior attacking options, able to start a move with his pressing as well as finish one.

Hwang Hee-chan is the South Korea forward who can settle a tight game in a single moment, as his stoppage-time winner against Portugal did in 2022. Direct running into central positions, front-foot pressing and a tally of 16 international goals are the threat he brings to the pick.

Group A pits Hong Myung-bo's side against Mexico, South Africa and the Czech Republic. At £10m, South Korea are a budget-end Tier 4 option within the game's £200m card budget.