South Korea are one among six AFC groups which have already secured a spot within the FIFA World Cup 2026. Meaning they gained’t be enjoying any official matches throughout this worldwide break, simply friendlies. The primary of these is about for Friday in opposition to Brazil, the place Son Heung-min is predicted to hit a powerful mark.
If Son performs in opposition to Brazil — both as a starter or coming off the bench — he’ll change into the most-capped participant within the historical past of the South Korean nationwide crew, reaching 137 appearances since his debut in 2010.
At present, the Los Angeles FC ahead is tied at 136 caps with two legends of South Korean soccer: former defender Hong Myung-bo — now the pinnacle coach of the nationwide crew — and former striker Cha Bum-kun. With each of them retired, Heung-min may have no competitors on the prime of that record, no less than for now. Actually, among the many gamers within the prime 10 of South Korea’s all-time look record, Son is the one one nonetheless energetic.
The scoring file Son is chasing
Along with being on the verge of turning into South Korea’s most-capped participant, Son Heung-min can also be closing in on the nation’s all-time scoring file. He at the moment sits second with 53 objectives in 136 appearances, averaging 0.39 objectives per sport.
South Korea head coach, Hong Myung-bo.
The highest spot continues to be held by Cha Bum-kun, who scored 58 objectives in 136 matches — a barely higher common of 0.43. The South Korean legend reached that whole between 1972 and 1986. That yr, he made his lone World Cup look in Mexico, the place he confronted Diego Maradona’s Argentina within the group stage.
see additionally
Tottenham star to comply with Son Heung-min’s footsteps to MLS as Orlando Metropolis reportedly reveals curiosity
Son eyes World Cup 2026 legacy
At 33 years previous, Son has time to assert each information and cement his place in South Korea’s soccer historical past. And if he performs within the 2026 World Cup, he might additionally climb to the highest of the nationwide crew’s file books in that event.
Proper now, Heung-min is tied for sixth in South Korean historical past with 10 World Cup appearances, having performed in Brazil 2014, Russia 2018, and Qatar 2022. The file belongs to Hong Myung-bo with 16, which means Son would want to function in no less than six extra World Cup matches to catch him.
On the similar time, the LAFC star shares the highest spot for many World Cup objectives scored by a South Korean. He has 3 (one in 2014 and two in 2018), tied with Ahn Jung-hwan and Park Ji-sung. A single purpose in the USA, Mexico, and Canada in 2026 would give Son the file outright — and make him simply the second South Korean to attain in three completely different World Cups, alongside Park.
see additionally
Worldwide Friendlies 2025 TV Schedule USA
What’s subsequent for South Korea?
This Friday, South Korea will tackle Brazil on the Seoul World Cup Stadium, a invaluable check in opposition to one of many world’s strongest nationwide groups. If Son Heung-min doesn’t play a single minute in that match, he’ll nonetheless have the prospect to interrupt the file subsequent Tuesday, when South Korea face Paraguay.
