Lee Hanbeom arrives at South Korea’s opening duel at the 2026 World Cup as one of the main bets for the defense led by Hong Myung-bo. The 23-year-old defender, likely starter alongside Kim Min-jae, faces the Czech Republic this Thursday, starting at 11pm (Brasília time), at the Akron stadium, in Jalisco, Mexico. The game opens Group A, which also includes Mexico and South Africa.
Born on June 17, 2002, in Daegu, Lee Hanbeom is 1.90m tall and stands out for his physical imposition, good timing in tackles and the ability to play. Called up for the World Cup after a solid season at FC Midtjylland, in Denmark, he represents the new generation of South Korean defenders who combine presence in the box with adaptation to European football.
South Korea arrives at the tournament with an undefeated campaign in the Asian Qualifiers — 11 wins and five draws. In 2022, in Qatar, the team stopped in the round of 16 against Brazil. Now, the objective is to advance to the stage with more consistency, and the defense’s performance, especially with Lee Hanbeom, will be decisive against a physical opponent like the Czech Republic.
Lee Hanbeom’s journey to the World Cup
Lee Hanbeom began his career at FC Seoul, where he made his professional debut in 2021. In two seasons, he played 51 games and scored one goal in the K League. His departure to Europe, in August 2023, for around 1.5 million euros, marked the beginning of a challenging adaptation to Midtjylland. At first, opportunities were limited, but he gradually gained space.
In the 2025/2026 season, the defender consolidated his position. With over 40 appearances for the Danish club, he contributed with important goals, including one in the Danish Cup final. His evolution caught the attention of coach Hong Myung-bo, who included him in the list of 26 called up for the World Cup. Lee is one of the youngest defenders in the squad, but he already has international experience, making his senior debut in 2025.
At Midtjylland, Lee Hanbeom has become accustomed to an intense and physical style of play, traits that will come in handy against the Czech Republic. The Czech team, back in the World Cup after 20 years, relies on aerial strength and infiltrations from the right side, with Vladimir Coufal and Patrik Schick as the main threats. The direct confrontation between Lee and these names could define the outcome of the match.
How Lee Hanbeom fits into the South Korean scheme
Hong Myung-bo tends to use a line of three or four defenders, with Lee Hanbeom operating as a central defender alongside Bayern Munich’s Kim Min-jae. The likely lineup has Jo Hyeonwoo in goal; Lee Hanbeom, Kim Min-jae and other teammates in defense; midfield with Hwang Inbeom and Lee Kang-in; and Son Heung-min as a reference in the attack.
The defender stands out for his height (almost 1.90m), which helps with defensive and offensive aerial balls. He also has a good pass, which allows him to build plays from behind. In recent interviews, Lee has mentioned a desire to become more aggressive in the game, both at club and country, to increase his influence. This evolution can be seen on the field against Czechia.
The Czech Republic, in turn, arrives motivated after a dramatic playoff. They finished second in the European qualifiers and beat Ireland and Denmark on penalties. His physical and aerial style demands extra attention from the South Korean defense. Lee Hanbeom, with his size and experience in Nordic football, appears as the ideal piece to neutralize these attacks.
What to expect from the duel and the role of the defender
The match in Mexico represents a complicated initial test for the Asians. The Akron stadium, one of the World Cup venues, should have a good crowd, with local fans supporting Mexico, but also a South Korean presence. Lee Hanbeom, who has already played in hostile environments in Europe, can use this resilience to the team’s advantage.
In preparatory friendlies, Korea beat Trinidad and Tobago 5-0 and beat El Salvador 1-0. Lee participated in these games and showed solidity. His rapport with Kim Min-jae will be essential in containing the Czech attack, centered on Bayer Leverkusen’s Patrik Schick.
Experts point to South Korea as the slight favorite, but warn of the danger of the Czech aerial game. Lee Hanbeom will have the mission of organizing the ball and leading the individual marking when necessary. His performance could influence not only this game, but the entire selection process in Group A.
Challenges and prospects for Lee Hanbeom in the World Cup
At 23 years old, Lee Hanbeom is experiencing the peak of his career so far. Moving to Europe at the age of 21 was a courageous step, and the results are showing now. At Midtjylland, he accumulated dozens of games and decisive contributions. In the national team, partnering with veterans like Son Heung-min can raise his level.
Coach Hong Myung-bo values defenders who know how to play with the ball at their feet, something Lee improved in Denmark. Against the Czech Republic, he is expected to be one of the most used, both in defense and in construction. A good performance can open doors to greater protagonism in subsequent games.
South Korea dreams of reaching the round of 16 or even quarterfinals. To do this, the defense needs to remain solid. Lee Hanbeom, with his youth and potential, is seen by many as the future of the South Korean defense, alongside established names like Kim Min-jae. This World Cup could be the stage for his international consecration.
Arbitration and broadcast
The referee will be Amin Mohamed, from Egypt, assisted by Mahmoud Abouelregal and Ahmed Hossam Taha, also Egyptians. VAR is with Mahmoud Ashour. The match will be broadcast on Cazé TV, with real-time coverage from several portals.
Probable lineup for South Korea:Jo Hyeonwoo; Lee Hanbeom, Kim Minjae and companions; half with Lee Kangin, Hwang Inbeom and others; Son Heungmin in attack.
Probable lineup for the Czech Republic:Matej Kovár; Chaloupek, Robin Hranác, Ladislav Krejcí; Vladimir Coufal, Vladimír Darida, Tomáš Soucek and others; Patrik Schick up front.
The game promises tactical balance, with Lee Hanbeom’s defense taking center stage.
