Which players involved in South Korea’s reported national-team friction were selected for the friendlies, and who will captain the team?

The squad includes Kim Min-jae, Hwang In-beom and Hwang Hee-chan, who reportedly expressed a desire to retire from international play, as well as Son Heung-min. Robert Moreno confirmed that Son would continue as captain.

Why did Kim Min-jae, Hwang In-beom and Hwang Hee-chan reportedly consider retiring from South Korea’s national team?

The trio reportedly told teammates after the Oct. 6 match against Uzbekistan that they wanted to retire from international play, apparently out of frustration with longtime captain Son Heung-min.

What results has South Korea recorded in Robert Moreno’s first four matches, and how could the next friendlies affect his tenure?

South Korea beat Ecuador 3-0, lost to Uruguay 4-1, drew 0-0 with Venezuela and defeated Uzbekistan 2-0. The Korea Football Association said it would consider retaining Moreno through the Asian Cup depending on the results of his six matches, including the upcoming friendlies.

Players at center of friction controversy called up for men's football friendlies

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Summary

Robert Moreno named a 26-man South Korea squad in Cheonan Thursday for friendlies against Saudi Arabia on Nov. 13 and Qatar on Nov. 17 in Doha, including the players involved in the reported team friction and captain Son Heung-min. Moreno said Son would remain captain and that selections were based on performance and what players could contribute. The matches will be Moreno’s fifth and sixth in charge, and the Korea Football Association will consider whether to retain him through the Asian Cup based on the results.

Key Facts

The three players reportedly said they wanted to retire from international play after Korea’s Oct. 6 match against Uzbekistan, apparently because of frustration with Son Heung-min.
Moreno was appointed in early September and is signed through Nov. 27.
Korea’s four earlier matches under Moreno included a 3-0 win over Ecuador, a 4-1 loss to Uruguay, a goalless draw with Venezuela and a 2-0 win over Uzbekistan.
The Asian Football Confederation Asian Cup is scheduled to kick off in January.

By Yonhap

Published Oct 29, 2026 3:00 pm KST

Robert Moreno, temporary head coach for the Korean men's national football team, speaks at a press conference at Korea Football Park in Cheonan, South Chungcheong Province, Thursday. Yonhap

CHEONAN — All principal figures caught in the controversy surrounding apparent friction on the men's national football team were selected for the upcoming friendly matches Thursday.

Robert Moreno, temporary head coach for the Taegeuk Warriors, named his 26-man squad for matches against Saudi Arabia on Nov. 13 and Qatar on Nov. 17 — both set to take place in Doha.

The list included defender Kim Min-jae, midfielder Hwang In-beom and winger Hwang Hee-chan. This trio reportedly told their teammates they wanted to retire from international play after Korea's most recent match against Uzbekistan on Oct. 6, apparently out of frustration with the team's longtime captain Son Heung-min.

Son is also back on the team. During a press conference at Korea Football Park in Cheonan, some 80 kilometers south of Seoul, Moreno confirmed the 34-year-old Son will continue to serve as captain.

Moreno also said he has spoken with all the players and made his squad decisions based solely on their performances and what they can bring to the national team.

"Every player on this list was selected because they are ready to dedicate themselves to the national team and the country," Moreno said. "If I had any doubt about that with any player, then I would not have chosen that player. Ultimately, everyone wants the same goal. We want to assemble a competitive national team and be prepared to win as many matches possible."

The next two will be the fifth and sixth matches for Moreno, who was appointed in early September and is signed through Nov. 27. In the four earlier matches, Korea defeated Ecuador 3-0 on Sept. 24 before losing to Uruguay 4-1 four days later. It was followed by a goalless draw against Venezuela on Oct. 2, and then Korea beat Uzbekistan 2-0 on Oct. 6.

The Korea Football Association has said depending on Korea's results in these six matches, it will consider retaining the Spanish tactician through the Asian Football Confederation Asian Cup, scheduled to kick off in January.

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