Son Heung-Min Excited for World Cup Journey with South Korea

As South Korea prepares to kick off their 2026 World Cup campaign against Czechia, captain Son Heung-Min expresses his youthful excitement for the tournament. With valuable experience from previous World Cups, Son emphasizes the importance of learning from past challenges and maintaining focus on the present. He believes the current squad is better equipped to handle the pressures of the tournament and is determined to achieve a positive start. Join us as we explore Son's insights and the team's aspirations for success on football's grandest stage.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 11, 2026, 11:01 IST

A Young Spirit on the World Stage

South Korea's captain, Son Heung-Min, expressed that he feels rejuvenated every time he steps onto the FIFA World Cup stage. As the Asian team gears up to kick off their 2026 campaign against Czechia in Guadalajara on Thursday (Local Time), the 33-year-old forward, participating in his fourth World Cup, remains a pivotal figure for the South Korean squad. With 144 international caps and 56 goals to his name, Son brings invaluable experience to the tournament.

Excitement for the World Cup

Ahead of the Group A match at Estadio Guadalajara, Son shared that the thrill of representing his nation on such a grand platform has never diminished. He stated, "I’m thrilled to be back on the World Cup pitch, something I’ve dreamed of since childhood. Regardless of whether it’s my first or fourth World Cup, I feel like a young boy again. This is the stage of dreams." He emphasized the importance of maintaining a consistent mindset, regardless of the number of tournaments participated in.

Learning from Past Experiences

Arriving in Mexico, South Korea aims to leverage the lessons learned from previous World Cup experiences. The Taegeuk Warriors reached the Round of 16 in Qatar 2022 but have faced challenges in their opening matches, failing to secure a win in their last three tournament debuts. Reflecting on the team's development since Qatar, Son believes the current squad is better prepared for the challenges ahead. He remarked, "During the last World Cup, we demonstrated strength but also faced setbacks. Those experiences have taught us valuable lessons moving forward. We are more mature and experienced now, although our mindset remains unchanged."

Prepared for the Challenge

The former Tottenham Hotspur player praised the dedication within the team, noting the determination of his teammates as they approach the opener. He commented, "The atmosphere has been great from the start. Seeing my teammates work so hard for the team and for Korea sometimes requires me to calm them down. We are very prepared, and I hope we achieve a positive result tomorrow because they truly deserve it."

Focusing on the Present

Despite the importance of the opening match, Son emphasized that his focus is on the present rather than future expectations. He stated, "I don’t live for tomorrow when it comes to the first match's significance. Today is the most crucial day for me, and I need to concentrate on my development. I will focus on training today. Tomorrow, I can think about tomorrow, and we will give our best then."

Aiming for a Strong Start

As South Korea embarks on their World Cup journey against Czechia, they are eager to achieve the strong start that has eluded them in recent tournaments, hoping that their seasoned captain can once again lead them on football's grandest stage.