Hong Myung-bo Empowers South Korean Squad with Player-First Philosophy Ahead of 2026 World Cup

South Korea's head coach Hong Myung-bo is taking an unconventional approach as his team prepares for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, emphasizing player autonomy over traditional top-down coaching methods.

"If we let these players make their own decisions and hold themselves accountable, rather than passively follow instructions, then I think we will have a team that runs proactively," Hong explained during Saturday's squad announcement. The refreshing coaching philosophy represents a departure from the rigid structures typically seen at international tournaments.

Hong's 26-man roster announcement came with more than just names—it signaled a fundamental shift in how the Korean national team will prepare for football's biggest stage.

High-Altitude Strategy: Utah Training Camp

With all three Group A fixtures scheduled in Mexico—including two matches in high-altitude Guadalajara—the Korean Football Association has strategically chosen Salt Lake City, Utah as their pre-tournament training base due to similar elevation conditions.

The squad will assemble in phases: six K League players depart Monday, while Europe-based players join the following week. Friendly matches against Trinidad and Tobago and El Salvador will provide crucial preparation time before the tournament kicks off.

These warmup fixtures hold particular significance for Feyenoord's defensive midfielder Hwang In-beom, South Korea's anchor in midfield who has been recovering from an ankle injury sustained in March. Hong provided a measured update on the midfielder's status: while his conditioning and intensity training have progressed well, Hwang simply lacks match fitness.

Should Hwang not return to full form, Hong may need to deploy Gangwon FC's Lee Gi-hyuk—nominally a defender but tactically versatile—in a midfield capacity.

The Lee Gi-hyuk Gamble

Lee represents the squad's biggest surprise selection. At 25 years old with just one international cap, his inclusion is based primarily on an outstanding K League 1 campaign with Gangwon, who boasted the division's stingiest defense.

Hong monitored Gangwon throughout the entire season and ultimately decided that current form and confidence outweigh international experience. Whether this proves inspired or reckless will only become clear under the intense pressure of World Cup competition.

Son Heung-min's Evolving Role

Captain Son Heung-min approaches his fourth World Cup appearance, matching Hong's own record for most tournaments by a Korean player. However, Son's scoring statistics this season raise eyebrows—just two goals in 19 appearances across all competitions, with none in MLS play.

Hong isn't concerned. He attributes the drought to Son's deeper role at LAFC, where he operates below the main striker, eliminating his typical scoring opportunities. With the national team, Son's positioning will be different.

The explanation holds merit rather than sounding defensive—Son leads MLS in assists, demonstrating he remains influential even if the statistical output has shifted. The critical question is whether Son can transition back into a more advanced, goal-scoring position when facing Mexico, Czechia, and South Africa in Group A.

Realistic Ambitions for an Expanded Format

Hong has set reaching the round of 32 as the primary objective—a pragmatic target in the expanded 48-team format where the top two teams from each group advance, along with eight best third-place finishers across the 12 groups.

Group A remains genuinely competitive, and a Korean side featuring a fit Hwang and properly deployed Son possesses a legitimate pathway to advancement.

"Once you get there, you don't know what's going to happen. I think we can even get to a place that none of us can imagine," Hong stated.

While coaches often make such optimistic proclamations, the more intriguing question is whether Hong's player empowerment strategy during the extended training camp will forge a team that genuinely believes in its potential—or simply one that enjoyed a pleasant few weeks in Utah before reality strikes.