Son Heungmin, 33 years old, confirmed in a recent interview that Copa of the 2026 Mundo could be his last participation in the tournament. The Coreia captain of Sul expressed determination to honor the legacy of the 2002 generation and create a memorable journey for fans, supporters and teammates while competing in México, Canadá and Estados Unidos.
The statement by the striker, who has played for Los Angeles FC since August 2025, marks a reflective moment in his international career. Son is part of a selection that seeks to surpass the performance of 2022, when Coreia of Sul reached the knockout stage of Copa of Mundo.
Trajetória and legacy in Copa of Mundo
Son debuted in Mundo’s Copa at age 22 and is now preparing for his fourth appearance in the tournament. Além de Son, apenas o goleiro Kim Seunggyu permanece no elenco desde 2014. Quando o atacante fez sua estreia, seis dos 23 jogadores atualmente convocados para 2026 eram crianças em idade escolar.
The athlete recalled the first Copa of Mundo that he actually experienced — in 2002 — as a fundamental inspiration for his football career. Aquele tournament, when Sul’s Coreia reached the semi-finals at home, shaped their dream of participating in a major football festival. Agora, with accumulated experience, Son seeks to recreate this extraordinary journey alongside his younger teammates.
If coach Hong Myungbo’s team advances beyond the quarterfinals, Son will be celebrating his 34th birthday during the tournament, continuing the competition alongside significantly younger players.
Motivação and strategic transfer
Son’s move from Tottenham to Los Angeles FC in August 2025 was largely driven by preparation for Copa from Mundo. O atacante também buscou despertar uma paixão renovada pelo futebol na comunidade coreana dos Estados Unidos, que conta com mais de 300 mil residentes.
Son explained that playing in a country that will host Mundo’s Copa represents a unique opportunity. The possibility of playing in Los Angeles during the competition was decisive in his choice. The athlete emphasized his commitment to bringing joy to the Korean community and reciprocating the support received throughout his career.
Impacto formative of previous Copas
The attacker pointed to the 2014 Copa, in Brasil, as a transformative moment in his trajectory. Naquela was the youngest player on the team and was faced with the reality of international competition. Marcou scored his first goal in Mundo’s Copa against Argélia, but faced a defeat that impacted him deeply.
Segundo Son, that painful result motivated you to seek continuous improvement. Percebeu that there were many talented players in the world and that he still had a long way to go to reach his full potential. The experience reinforced his mentality of constant growth as a player and as a person.
Espírito of fighting as philosophy
Son highlighted the importance of the Korean concept of “tuhon” — or “fighting spirit” — in his approach to football. The term, which he heard as a youngster, became his most significant phrase when he joined the national team and remains central to his mentality.
The captain highlighted that, although technical skills and physical strength are necessary, the moments in which the team shines most occur when this fighting spirit is evident. Para Son, this philosophy transcends individual performance and represents the essence of the football identity of Coreia and Sul.
Mensagem to the fans
Son made a direct appeal to South Korean fans, asking for continued and passionate support. Afirmou who, if the fans maintain their energy and commitment, will lead the players from the front line and face Mundo’s Copa without fear.
The captain stressed that achieving lofty goals requires total unity of heart and mind between players and people. Não believes that the team alone can achieve extraordinary successes — everything needs to work in perfect harmony, with the constant support of the nation.
Perspectiva on responsibility and privilege
Questionado on how he deals with the burden of being a symbol of Korean football on the world stage, Son said he never saw it as a burden. Mantém the perspective that he is someone who can bring joy to people through football. Permanece is humble in his approach and always seeks to give his best in every challenge.
Apesar of the evident sense of responsibility he carries, Son does not interpret it as a burden, but as a privilege. Sente is lucky to have the opportunity to represent his country at the highest level of international football and to positively impact the lives of Korean fans and communities around the world.
Preparação for 2026
The South Korean team is preparing for its 12th participation in an Copa of Mundo. The 23-player squad announced for 2026 marks a strategic mix of experience — represented by players like Son — and youth, which predominates in the current squad.
Son continues his work both at LAFC and in preparation with the national team, participating in friendlies and knockout competitions to ensure that Sul’s Coreia reaches México, Canadá and Estados Unidos in optimal condition. Sua’s determination to create a memorable journey reflects the South Korean team’s collective commitment to exceeding expectations and honoring decades of the country’s football tradition.