Son Heung-min insists South Korea’s progress at the World Cup comes before personal glory, even though the Los Angeles FC forward can move clear as the nation’s leading scorer at the finals. The 33-year-old stresses team success is the priority as South Korea target another deep run.
Hong Myung-bo’s side start their campaign against Czechia on 11 June, the same day Mexico meet South Africa in the 48-team tournament. Group A appears balanced, and South Korea believe this draw offers a realistic opportunity to reach the knockout stage again.
This will be Son’s fourth World Cup, underlining the forward’s long service on the biggest stage. South Korea’s all-time leading appearance maker scored at the 2014 and 2018 tournaments, then captained the team
in Qatar in 2022, highlighting Son’s central role across three different World Cups.
Across those editions, Son has three World Cup goals, equalling Park Ji-sung and Ahn Jung-hwan as South Korea’s joint-top scorers at the finals. One more strike would set a new national record, yet Son maintains that chasing milestones cannot come before collective needs during the upcoming campaign.
Son addressed questions about age and form during South Korea’s training camp in Salt Lake City. "A lot of people are worried, but I'm only worried if I'm not playing well," he told reporters at Korea's training camp in Salt Lake City. "I don't think it's the case now. Physically, I am feeling great. "
The forward also spoke about the increased attention around potential records at this World Cup. "Obviously, it's impossible not to be hearing about these records. People have been talking about them, and fans have taken great interest in them. But I've just not been thinking too much about them.If I put the team above all else and worry about how I can help the team first, then goals will naturally follow. "
Son Heung-min World Cup context for South Korea
South Korea enter their 11th consecutive World Cup, a sequence bettered only by Brazil, Argentina, Germany and Spain. The 2002 semi-finalists therefore arrive with strong tournament experience, though recent friendly defeats to Ivory Coast and Austria highlight issues that Hong Myung-bo must address quickly.
Expectations still build after reaching the last 16 in 2022, and the squad aim to progress further this time. "Of course, we want to get to a higher place this time and do better than the last World Cup," Son added. "But we can't predict the future. Other teams will be preparing just as hard. "
South Korea’s meeting with co-hosts Mexico and South Africa, alongside the opener against Czechia, will shape their hopes of advancing. With Son leading again, the team balance optimism and realism, aware that historical runs and possible records matter less than performance in Group A.
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