Midfield metronome Hwang In-Beom could be key for South Korea at the 2026 FIFA World Cup

When South Korea finalised their 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup , all eyes were on Son Heung-Min as he was selected to feature on football's biggest stage for a fourth consecutive occasion. But as his nation's captain and talisman, Son was always going to be on the plane to North America. Instead, there was another -- also ever-present and arguably equally influential through the Asian qualifiers for the tournament -- who was a far greater uncertainty. As Hwang In-Beom 's name was announced in the South Korea roster, their hopes of going far at the World Cup were immediately lifted. An ankle injury back in March ruled Hwang out for the remainder of Feyenoord 's season and immediately raised doubts if he would recover in time for the summer. At the time, it also led to questions on whether South Korea could be forced to field a drastically-undermanned midfield at the World