Son Heung-min Set to Tie World Cup Appearance Record for South Korea

—South Korea captain Son Heung-min is poised to tie the national record for World Cup appearances as the team enters its 2026 campaign. The 33-year-old striker, one of the highest-profile Asian players in the tournament, brings leadership experience to a squad aiming for a deep run. South Korea opened play against the Czech Republic, with the match scoreless at halftime. Son's legacy in Korean football runs deep — he has been the country's most recognizable star for over a decade. A strong tournament would cap one of the most storied international careers in Asian soccer history.