South Korea midfielder Hwang In-beom is healthy but not fully match fit as the 2026 World Cup approaches. The 29-year-old, who plays for Dutch club Feyenoord, was sidelined since March with an ankle injury but was named in the 26-man South Korean squad announced in May by coach Hong Myung-bo [1, 2].

Hwang says he can join training immediately. "I can jump into training with the rest of the squad right away. There's no need for concern," he said. He added that his movements are improving each week but he still needs to regain match sharpness through playing matches. "I can feel my movements have been getting smoother with each passing week. But I still have to get my match sharpness back, and it's something I have to do by playing," Hwang said [1, 2].

The midfielder will try to sharpen his form in upcoming friendlies against Trinidad & Tobago and El Salvador in Utah ahead of the tournament. He emphasized the importance of these matches to prepare for the World Cup group stage games [1, 2]. South Korea opens its World Cup campaign on June 11 against the Czech Republic in Guadalajara. Their group also includes co-host Mexico and South Africa in the expanded 48-team tournament [1, 2].

Hwang has earned 71 caps for South Korea and was a key player in the 2022 World Cup, starting all matches when South Korea reached the round of 16. Some pundits linked South Korea's friendly losses in early 2026 to Ivory Coast (4-0) and Austria (1-0) to Hwang’s absence. However, Hwang disagrees. "I don't think we played poorly just because I wasn't there. We have players that can always step in for people who aren't available. Those still would have been difficult matches even if I had been there," he said [1, 2].

As an energetic box-to-box midfielder, Hwang can play with both feet and brings tactical versatility to the team. He highlighted the team spirit needed for success, saying, "If we can all come together like we did the last time, I think we can bring joy to so many people back home. We have so many talented players here. And to make the most of our abilities, we have to put the team first and make sacrifices" [1].

South Korea’s first friendly is scheduled for June 6 against Trinidad & Tobago in Utah, followed by a match with El Salvador on June 10. The team will then travel to Mexico for their World Cup opener against the Czech Republic on June 11 [1, 2].