The South Korean national soccer team, led by head coach Hong Myung-bo, will play against Iraq in the fourth round of the third Asian qualifying round for the 2026 North-China World Cup at Yongin Mir Stadium on the 15th.메이저사이트

South Korea won 2-0 in the third round of the third qualifying round against Jordan, which ended at Amman International Stadium in Jordan on the 11th. It had two wins and one draw (7 points, goal difference +4), tied with Iraq (7 points, goal difference +2), but is at the top of the group, leading in goal difference. 

While the first and second-place teams in the third qualifying round secure direct tickets to the North-China World Cup, Hong Myung-bo's victory over Iraq on the 15th can create an atmosphere that solidifies the group's lead.  

The Korean Football Association (KFA) reported on Wednesday that the roster of players has been changed due to injury a day before the training session in Yongin to prepare for the match against Iraq. "Hwang Hee-chan (Wolverhampton) is suffering from a left ankle injury, and Um Ji-sung (Swansea City) is not allowed to play in the match against Iraq due to a left knee injury, so he was dismissed from the roster. Lee Seung-woo and Moon Seon-min (Jeonbuk Hyundai) will be substituted," the KFA said on Wednesday. 

Hwang Hee-chan and Um Ji-sung, who were injured in the match against Jordan, returned home via Incheon International Airport on Wednesday afternoon and underwent a thorough examination. They dropped out of the national team due to the judgment that they would not be able to play in the match. Second-line offensive resources Lee Seung-woo and Moon Seon-min were selected as substitutes, and the team conducted a closed training session for the Hong Myung-bo team at the Seongnam FC Club House on Wednesday. 

Lee has 11 goals and five assists in the K League 1 this season. His weapon is fast speed and high quality individual skills, and he can play both sides and center. If Lee gets a chance to play in the match against Iraq, attention is focusing on whether Lee, who has no goals in 11 A-match games, will score his debut goal.

In a way, Lee Seung-woo is making a comeback to the national team. After failing to play properly due to various issues in Europe, he joined Suwon FC and Jeonbuk Hyundai to display top performance in the K-League. He returned to the national team after a whopping five years and five months thanks to this performance.

On the previous day, Lee told reporters, "I didn't know it had been this long. I was surprised, too. The players seem to have remained the same, but clothes, staff and environment seem to have changed a lot," adding, "I suddenly heard the news of the call-up. I was on the way up the train on the morning of July 12 but I didn't have a ticket, so I took the standing seat. (Of course) I paid."

When some jokingly said, "Fans probably recognized me a lot," Lee said, "I don't think they saw me because I crouched behind them. (Moon) Sun-min and I came to stand-up. I sat in my carrier," smiling. "It would be best if I participate (against Iraq), but even if it's not that, I hope I can make good memories in the national team," Lee said.

Lee Seung-woo is wearing the national team uniform for the first time in a long time, but he is not having difficulty adapting himself to the situation due to his many familiar faces. "They are all the players I have seen before. I felt so comfortable seeing them many times during the offseason, and it feels like five years have passed. I was grateful that everyone welcomed me (my call-up) and congratulated me," he said.

In a way, Lee's return to the national team could serve as another opportunity. As Lee has shown unique scoring ability in the K-League, he can be another weapon of Hong Myung-bo if he shows potential as an option in this match. If he shows good performance in the third World Cup qualifying round, he will also be able to see the World Cup.

"Actually, I have no thoughts about the World Cup because it's been so long since I came here. I practiced every day thinking things would go smoothly. I haven't thought about the World Cup in North Korea and the U.S. yet," Lee said. "I will still do my best. I have been waiting for this long time, so I will show everything."