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[MDToday — Reporter Min-seok Choi] Preparing for the 2026 World Cup in North America, Hong Myung-bo’s Korea finally trained together as a complete squad after every player reported for duty. On the 1st (local time), Hong led the South Korea national team into detailed tactical work at the Zions Bank Training Center in Herriman, Utah.
The team opened a pre-camp in Salt Lake City, Utah, on May 18 to focus on high-altitude conditioning. From May 24 onward, key names like Kim Min-jae and Son Heung-min began arriving, and after Lee Kang-in wrapped up his UEFA Champions League commitments, he joined the group that day, bringing the roster to a full 26 players.
Defying expectations that he would stick to solo sessions at his hotel, Lee jumped straight into team training on his first day. He took part in upbeat passing drills with teammates and later used a stationary bike to manage his recovery. At one point, cameras caught Son sitting beside Lee, sharing a light conversation.
Son and Lee are the focal points of Hong’s attack. Son underlined his sharp form with a two-goal performance in the friendly against Trinidad and Tobago, while Lee has been orchestrating build-up play with inventive passing. Their connection will be crucial if Hong Myung-bo’s side hopes to advance further at the World Cup.
The coaching staff also reviewed several injury concerns. Oh Hyun-gyu, who had been limited to low-intensity work while recovering from a muscle problem, completed full training that day, increasing his chances of appearing in the final warm-up. By contrast, Bae Jun-ho continued separate, low-intensity sessions after sustaining an ankle injury in the Trinidad and Tobago match, and Eom Ji-sung kept to reduced work because of knee discomfort.
Hong said he will monitor player fitness closely and focus on fine-tuning tactics as the team ramps up toward the World Cup.
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