Korea Republic’s 26 players to participate in the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 have been confirmed.

The star-studded squad include the key players of Paulo Bento’s side: captain Son Heungmin (Tottenham Hotspur), Hwang Heechan (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Hwang Uijo (Olympiakos), Kim Minjae (SSC Napoli) and Kim Younggwon (Ulsan Hyundai).

There was no element of surprise, although the selection of Lee Kangin (RCD Mallorca) raised a few eyebrows. Lee had been called up to the national team for a series of friendlies with Costa Rica and Cameroon in September but did not make an appearance. It had been a subject of controversy since the in-form playmaker was having an impressive campaign in the Spanish La Liga.

At the rearguard, where there was a fierce competition for the places at the right back position in particular, all three of Kim Moonhwan (Jeonbuk Hyundai), Kim Taehwan (Ulsan Hyundai) and Yoon Jonggyu made the list. Kim Jinsu (Jeonbuk Hyundai), still recovering from an injury, also grabbed the ticket to Qatar. Attacking midfielders include Song Minkyu, who scored his first goal for Korea Republic against Iceland on Friday, Kwon Changhoon (Gimcheon Sangmu) and Na Sangho (FC Seoul).

Meanwhile, Suwon Samsung starlet Oh Hyeongyu – one of the revelations in the K League 1 this season – also made it to Qatar, as Bento is looking to train him as a reserve for the first team to deal with any possible injuries in the squad.

Korea Republic squad for FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 (26 men) 

Goalkeeper: Kim Seunggyu (Al Shabab), Jo Hyeonwoo (Ulsan Hyundai), Song Bumkeun (Jeonbuk Hyundai)

Defenders: Kim Minjae (SSC Napoli), Kim Younggwon (Ulsan Hyundai), Kwon Kyungwon (Gamba Osaka), Cho Yumin (Daejeon Hana Citizen), Kim Moonhwan (Jeonbuk Hyundai), Yoon Jonggyu (FC Seoul), Kim Taehwan (Ulsan Hyundai), Kim Jinsu (Jeonbuk Hyundai), Hong Chul (Daegu FC)

Midfielders: Jung Wooyoung (Al Sadd), Son Junho (Shandong Taishan), Paik Seungho (Jeonbuk Hyundai), Hwang Inbeom (Olympiakos), Lee Jaesung (FSV Mainz 05), Kwon Changhoon (Gimcheon Sangmu), Jeong Wooyeong (SC Freiburg), Lee Kangin (RCD Mallorca), Son Heungmin (Tottenham Hotspur), Hwang Heechan (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Na Sangho (FC Seoul), Song Minkyu (Jeonbuk Hyundai)

Forwards: Hwang Uijo (Olympiakos), Cho Guesung (Jeonbuk Hyundai)