Son Heung-min sits at 81st in US news outlet's 2026 FIFA World Cup rankings

Korea's national football team captain Son Heung-min reacts after missing a shoot during a pre-World Cup tune-up match against Austria at Ernst Happel Stadium in Vienna, March 31. Yonhap

U.S. outlet Fox Sports released its ranking of players set to compete at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which kicks off next month across Canada, the United States and Mexico.

Son Heung-min, who plays for the Los Angeles Football Club and captain of Korea's national football team, was placed at No. 81 out of 100.

The outlet wrote, “Son spent 10 years with Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League before beginning his first full season in Los Angeles,” adding, “He is Korea’s all-time leader in international appearances.”

Son has earned 143 caps for Korea's national team, scoring 54 goals. He holds the record for most appearances in the men’s national team and ranks second in all-time goals, just four behind national football hero Cha Bum-kun’s 58.

Former national team head coach Cha Bum-kun, left, hugs Son Heung-min for setting the record for the most international appearances ahead of a friendly match against Paraguay at Seoul World Cup Stadium in Seoul, Oct. 14, 2025. Yonhap

Players ranked just behind Son include Reece James (82nd), Jeremie Frimpong (83rd), Marc Guehi (84th) and Fabián Ruiz (85th).

Just ahead of Son at No. 80 is Jules Koundé, while Christian Pulisic ranks 79th. Others higher up include Arda Güler (78th), Viktor Gyökeres (77th) and Dani Olmo (76th).

Another Korean player, Kim Min-jae of Bayern Munich, was ranked 98th.

The outlet noted, “Before his big move to Bayern Munich, Kim won the 2023 Serie A title with Napoli. Although he hasn’t fully secured the No. 1 role in Munich, he will be the cornerstone of Korea’s defense this summer.”

Kim Min-jae, member of the Korean men's national football team, attempts a header during a pre-World Cup tune-up match against Austria at Ernst Happel Stadium in Vienna, March 31. Yonhap

Just ahead of Kim at No. 97 is Bradley Barcola, a teammate of Lee Kang-in at Paris Saint-Germain.

Japanese winger Kaoru Mitoma (Brighton & Hove Albion) ranked 94th, drawing attention for being one spot above Phil Foden.

Among Korea’s group-stage opponents, Mexico striker Raúl Jiménez was ranked 90th.

Korea has been drawn in Group A alongside host Mexico, the Czech Republic and South Africa.

This article from Xportsnews is adapted by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.