Korea’s emphatic 4-0 victory over Kuwait in their final 2026 World Cup qualifier on Tuesday did more than seal another win. It showcased Korea’s rising football stars and the growing chemistry within the squad. Additionally, it hinted at a new generation of regular starters for the upcoming tournament.
The Taeguk Warriors displayed a clear sense of cohesion and understanding. This was something that had occasionally been missing during earlier matches under manager Hong Myung-bo in the third qualifying round. The highlight of this improvement came during Korea’s third goal. With Korea’s rising football stars like Hwang In-beom, who delivered a precise long ball to Lee, who headed it down perfectly for Oh Hyeon-gyu to fire home with confidence.
Oh’s goal stood out not only for its quality but also for what it represented. His composed finish was a marked difference from his earlier appearances with the national team. During these, he had been criticized for missing clear chances. Now, with two goals in the June internationals — one against Iraq on June 5 and the other versus Kuwait — Oh is making a strong case for more starts, cementing his place among Korea’s rising football stars.
Manager Hong has yet to cement a first-choice striker in his lineup. He has been rotating between Oh Hyeon-gyu, Oh Se-hun, and Joo Min-kyu throughout the qualifiers. However, Oh Hyeon-gyu’s recent performances may give him an edge moving forward among Korea’s rising football stars.
Emerging talent was also on display in other areas of the pitch. Jeon Jin-woo, receiving his first senior team call-up, delivered an assist against Iraq. He also scored a header against Kuwait. Jeon impressed on the right wing — a position typically held by Hwang Hee-chan — with his pace, awareness, and aggressive play across both matches.
Additionally, players like Bae contributed to Korea’s convincing displays, hinting at a broader depth of talent developing under Hong’s leadership.
With these promising showings, Korea not only finishes their qualifiers on a high but also lays the groundwork for a competitive and rejuvenated squad ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
