Hong Myung-bo’s South Korea squad, gearing up for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America, departed for a final pre-tournament training camp.
Head coach Hong Myung-bo led the core of South Korea’s squad out of Incheon International Airport on the afternoon of the 18th, bound for Salt Lake City, Utah.
Nine players traveled with the coaches and support staff: K League players Lee Dong-gyeong (Ulsan Hyundai), Kim Jin-kyu (Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors), Kim Moon-hwan (Daejeon), Lee Ki-hyuk (Gangwon FC), Jo Hyeon-woo (Ulsan Hyundai) and Song Beom-geun (Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors), plus three English Championship members — Bae Jun-ho (Stoke City), Eom Ji-sung (Swansea City) and Baek Seung-ho (Birmingham City) — who have been training in Korea after their seasons ended early.
Training partners Yoon Ki-wook (FC Seoul), Jo Wi-je and Kang Sang-yoon (both Jeonbuk) also made the trip. Players paused to sign autographs for fans who came to see them before heading through the departure gate.
The team will wrap up preparations using Real Salt Lake’s training facilities and the University of Utah. With South Korea scheduled to play its first two group games in Guadalajara — at roughly 1,571 meters above sea level — the camp in Salt Lake City (about 1,460 m) is intended to aid high-altitude acclimatization.
The main group begins training this week. Under FIFA rules, Europe-based players can report from the 24th, and those players are expected to arrive around the 24th–25th. Midfield linchpin Hwang In-beom (Feyenoord), who is rehabbing an ankle at home, is also expected to join around the 24th.
Lee Kang-in (Paris Saint-Germain) is expected to join the squad after he plays in the UEFA Champions League final on the 31st (Korea time).
In Salt Lake City, Hong’s team will play two warm-up matches: Trinidad and Tobago at 10 a.m. on the 31st and El Salvador at 10 a.m. on June 4. Both games will be held at BYU South Field, Brigham Young University, in Salt Lake City.
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