South Korea midfielder Lee Jae-sung speaks at a press conference ahead of a World Cup qualifying match against Kuwait at Seoul World Cup Stadium in Seoul on June 9, 2025. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
SEOUL, June 9 (Korea Bizwire) — Midfielder Lee Jae-sung has represented South Korea at the 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cup tournaments, and the 32-year-old would love nothing more than another chance to don the country’s red for the 2026 event. That’s because playing on his sport’s ultimate stage never gets old.
“I think any football player starts out dreaming of playing at a World Cup. If I make the team next year, it will be my third World Cup, and I still dream of playing at the tournament,” Lee said Monday at a press conference before South Korea’s final World Cup qualifying match against Kuwait in Seoul. “I am grateful just to have an opportunity to fight for a spot on another World Cup squad. I am honored to be able to play so often for the national team.”
By beating Iraq 2-0 last Thursday in their penultimate qualifying match, South Korea qualified for their 11th consecutive World Cup. Lee, midfielder for Mainz 05 in Germany, has been a key part of the journey so far, having played all nine matches in the third round and contributed three goals — a surprising output for a playmaker not always known for scoring prowess. In the absence of injured captain Son Heung-min against Iraq, Lee wore the armband.
“More than anything I have confidence in my consistency. I may not be more talented than my teammates in certain areas, but I am always trying to help my team with my consistent play,” Lee said. “And I think I’ve been able to leave an impression on my coaching staff that way. Getting a chance to play with the best in the nation is always a huge source of motivation.”
However, with some talented 20-somethings on the rise in attacking midfield spots, Lee is not a shoo-in pick for the World Cup squad next year. And he understands that as well.
“I can’t guarantee you that I will be back in the same spot this time next year. I don’t think anyone can,” he said. “When I rejoin my club (for next season), I want to play as well as I can to get ready for the World Cup.”
As a veteran of six World Cup matches across two competitions, Lee offered this bit of advice to those trying to make the 2026 event their first one.
“Everyone has to keep chasing their dream. It takes some great individual skills and performances to be able to play at the World Cup,” Lee said. “And they should never feel content with where they are. Only those prepared to make sacrifices for the team will be fortunate enough to play at the World Cup.”
Lee said that, on top of qualifying for the World Cup, seeing young players grow more confident over the course of the qualification campaign has been particularly rewarding.
Although the Kuwait match is all but meaningless for South Korea, Lee said he still wants to close out the qualifiers with a win. He said Son has reminded everyone that South Korea fell to the United Arab Emirates in their final qualifier before the 2022 World Cup, the team’s only loss over two rounds of qualifiers.
“He told the team that it’s really important to finish well,” Lee said of the captain’s pep talk. “We haven’t won much at home lately, and we want to deliver a victory to our fans this time.”
South Korea have managed just one win and three draws in four matches at home, while reeling off four wins and a draw in away contests.
(Yonhap)
