After the Los Angeles FC match on May 24, Son Heung-min moved to Salt Lake to join the Korean national team under the guidance of coach Hong Myung-bo. Although he has not scored a goal after 13 matches in the MLS this season, the 33-year-old striker still maintains confidence before his fourth World Cup in his career.
I have never been insecure in football. If I always prioritize the team and dedicate myself wholeheartedly, goals will come. My physical condition is currently very good and I am saving energy for the World Cup," Son Heung-min shared with Korean media.
The captain of the Korean national team said that his feelings for the biggest football festival on the planet are still as intact as his first participation. "It doesn't matter how many World Cups I participate in. Every time I think about this tournament, I still feel like a child pursuing a dream," Son said.
World Cup 2026 is likely to be the last time the striker born in 1992 will participate in the world's biggest arena. Previously, he participated in the World Cups 2014, 2018 and 2022.
The Korean national team is currently training in the US to get acquainted with the competition conditions in Mexico. The first two group stage matches of the kimchi team against Costa Rica and Mexico both took place in Guadalajara - a city located at an altitude of over 1,500 m above sea level.
Salt Lake was chosen as a training ground because of its climate and altitude conditions similar to Guadalajara. Son Heung-min said he used to play here for Los Angeles FC and did not encounter too many difficulties.
It's not for show, but last season I scored a hat-trick here and feel pretty good," the Korean striker said.
However, Son also admitted that playing in Mexico is a big challenge as he has experienced matches at heights of over 2,600 m at the CONCACAF Champions Cup this season.
It's really not pleasant in Mexico. Even the home team players are having difficulty," Son added.
According to the captain of the South Korean team, players who have just finished the season in Europe will be more clearly affected by thin air conditions. Therefore, the coaching staff wants the whole team to adapt as soon as possible before the World Cup kicks off.
The harsher the training at this time, the more comfortable we will be when entering the tournament," Son Heung-min emphasized.
Besides the fitness problem, the Korean team also faces many questions about tactics before the 2026 World Cup. Experts assess that the Asian team possesses a quality attack with names like Son Heung-min, Lee Kang-in and Hwang Hee-chan. However, the defense is still a problem that gives coach Hong Myung-bo a headache.
The 3-4-2-1 system helps South Korea improve their ability to switch to attacking positions but often reveals gaps on both wings. The defeats against Ivory Coast and Austria in the friendly matches in March further increased concerns about this team's defensive ability.
At the 2026 World Cup, South Korea will successively meet the Czech Republic, Mexico and South Africa in the group stage. Son Heung-min is also facing the opportunity to become the Korean player with the most goals in World Cup history when he currently has the same 3 goals as Ahn Jung-hwan and Park Ji-sung.
