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[Sports Seoul | Herriman, Utah, U.S. = Reporter Kim Yong-il] Captain Son Heung-min (34, LAFC), who joined Hong Myung-bo’s national team camp as South Korea prepares for the 2026 CONCACAF World Cup finals, showed clear emotion at his first training session.
Before the team session on the 27th (Korean time) at Real Salt Lake’s Zion’s Bank Training Center in Herriman, Utah, Son smiled when asked about his fourth World Cup. “It doesn’t matter how many times I go. Talking about the World Cup always makes me feel like a kid,” he said. “I’ll prepare with the same excitement I had the first time.”
Son made his World Cup debut in Brazil in 2014 and produced one of his most memorable moments in Russia 2018 when he capped South Korea’s 2-0 upset of Germany in Kazan. In Qatar 2022, he set up Hwang Hee-chan’s stoppage-time winner in a 2-1 win over Portugal, helping Korea reach the Round of 16 at an away World Cup for only the second time.
“Of course I want a better result than last time,” Son said. “But you can’t predict outcomes. Opponents will prepare their best, too. What matters is how desperate we are to prepare.”
With South Korea’s first two group games (against the Czech Republic and Mexico) set for Akron Stadium in Guadalajara — at about 1,571 m (5,154 ft) above sea level — the team flew an advance party out on the 18th and trained in Salt Lake City (about 1,460 m/4,790 ft). They moved to nearby Herriman, home to Real Salt Lake’s facilities, on the 26th. Son arrived late that night and took part in his first session the next day.
Son has recent experience at altitude from CONCACAF Champions Cup trips to Cruz Azul and Toluca in Mexico, where stadiums sit above 2,000 m (6,562 ft). “Herriman is around 1,500 m,” he said with a laugh. “I’m not trying to brag, but I scored a hat trick in Salt Lake last year and didn’t really feel the altitude then.” He added, “The Mexico away games were much higher. It wasn’t easy.” He recalled the Champions Cup semifinal at Toluca — played at about 2,800 m (9,186 ft) — saying even the home players struggled. “After the match we checked the data and my teammates ran noticeably less than usual. Having been at tougher venues, adapting here should be easier.”
With 15 days until the group opener against the Czech Republic on June 12, Son emphasized the small details. “We have to get specifics right — which direction to pass, how to move. We should know where teammates are with our eyes closed,” he said. “Time is short, but every team faces the same constraints. We have to do everything we can.”
◇ One goal away from sole possession of Korea’s World Cup scoring record — “Team comes first”
Son has three World Cup goals to his name, including a strike against Algeria in Brazil. One more would put him ahead of Ahn Jung-hwan and Park Ji-sung (three goals each) and make him South Korea’s all-time top World Cup scorer. With 54 career international goals, Son could also creep toward senior legend Cha Bum-kun’s national record of 58 depending on his World Cup performance.
Still, Son downplayed personal milestones. “I don’t pay much attention to that,” he said. “I think about what the team needs to do first. Goals will come naturally.” Addressing concerns after a recent scoreless spell in MLS, he added, “Many people worry, but I only worry about my performance. I feel good physically. I joked that I’ve been saving goals for the World Cup. Goals will come — I won’t let myself get anxious.” kyi0486@sportsseoul.com
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