Sports · Football · 3 hrs ago
South Korea recalls Son and 1996-born players for November friendlies
South Korea interim coach Roberto Moreno named 26 players for November friendlies.
Captain Son Heung-min and 1996-born players Kim Min-jae, Hwang In-beom and Hwang Hee-chan are all included.
Their places come after retirement rumors and reports of team discord following a match against Uzbekistan.
The players and the football association did not issue a detailed public account, while Moreno said selection was based on performance and commitment.
South Korea will play Saudi Arabia on November 13 and Qatar on November 17 in Doha.
Seoul midfielder Son Jeong-beom and Gangwon defender Shin Min-ha received their first senior national-team call-ups.
The matches are Moreno’s final tests before his contract decision: his interim deal runs to the end of November, and an extension would put him in charge at the 2027 Asian Cup.
South Korea coach Robert Moreno named a 26-player squad for two November friendlies, recalling captain Son Heung-min and the three 1996-born players Kim Min-jae, Hwang In-beom and Hwang Hee-chan.
The three 1996-born players had been at the centre of retirement speculation and reports of tension within the squad.
Son Jung-beom and Shin Min-ha received their first senior national team call-ups.
South Korea will play Saudi Arabia and Qatar in Doha on November 13 and 17.
The matches are South Korea’s final fixtures of the year.
- Who
- South Korea’s 26-player squad, selected by interim coach Robert Moreno. Son Heung-min and the three 1996-born players Kim Min-jae, Hwang In-beom and Hwang Hee-chan were recalled.
- What
- Moreno announced the squad for two November friendlies.
- When
- The squad was announced on October 29, 2026. The matches are scheduled for November 13 and 17.
- Where
- The friendlies will be played in Doha, Qatar.
- Why
- The matches are South Korea’s final fixtures of the year. Moreno said squad members were selected based on performance and their commitment to the team.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Retirement speculation about Kim Min-jae, Hwang In-beom and Hwang Hee-chan emerged after a friendly against Uzbekistan.
Robert Moreno announced a 26-player squad for the November friendlies.
The squad is due to gather at Incheon International Airport and travel to Doha.
South Korea is scheduled to play Saudi Arabia in Doha.
South Korea is scheduled to play Qatar in Doha.
- Squad size
- 26 players
- First call-ups
- Son Jung-beom of Seoul and Shin Min-ha of Gangwon
- First friendly
- Saudi Arabia, November 13, Doha
- Second friendly
- Qatar, November 17, Doha
- Coach
- Robert Moreno, interim South Korea coach
3 sources
What people are saying
I do not disclose private conversations I have had with players.
They deserve to be called up to the national team based on the performances they have shown, and I judged that they would be able to commit fully to the team.
The captain of the national team is Son Heung-min, and I have nothing more to say about this.