Lee Kang-in

Lee Kang-in is a confirmed midfielder in South Korea's 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup, named in the final 26 on 16 May 2026 under Hong Myung-bo. The Paris Saint-Germain playmaker is 25 at kick-off and brings 46 senior caps and 11 international goals into the tournament, his second World Cup after the Round-of-16 run at Qatar 2022.

South Korea share Group A with Mexico, South Africa and the Czech Republic, opening in Zapopan on 11 June. Hong's side came through their AFC third-round group in June 2025, racing through the campaign while scoring freely, and they look to Lee as a creative outlet from the attacking midfield in a squad captained by Son Heung-min.

Lee is a left-footed attacking midfielder, a No 10 who both creates and scores. A low centre of gravity and close control let him slalom through tight spaces and beat defenders one-against-one, and he is a genuine threat from dead balls, including direct free-kicks.

That mix of dribbling and set-piece delivery gives South Korea a player who can unlock a packed defence or score from range. In Hong's 3-4-3 he operates in the attacking midfield, linking play between the central midfield and the forwards.

Lee Kang-in is a creative midfielder for South Korea, a left-footed No 10 who creates and scores. Slaloming dribbles, dead-ball delivery and 11 international goals give the slot its upside from the attacking midfield, where his end product turns into chances and assists.

The Group A draw sends Hong Myung-bo's side to face the Czech Republic, Mexico and South Africa. South Korea's £10m makes them a low Tier 4 pick within the game's £200m card budget.