Interim Coach Robert Moreno Names First South Korean National Team Squad

Interim head coach Robert Moreno unveiled a 30 man squad on Monday for the South Korean men's national football team. The roster includes 12 players from the domestic K League, which is a higher proportion than the seven players from the domestic league included in the 26 man squad for this year's FIFA World Cup. South Korea is scheduled to host Ecuador on Sept. 24, Uruguay on Sept. 28, Venezuela on Oct. 2, and Uzbekistan on Oct. 6.

The squad features established players such as captain Son Heung-min of Los Angeles Football Club, defender Kim Min-jae of Bayern Munich, and midfielders Lee Kang-in of Atletico Madrid and Hwang In-beom of FC Porto. Moreno also named three newcomers: Kim Geon-hui of Incheon United, Park Tae-jun of Gimcheon Sangmu, and Kim Min-su of Rangers. The team includes four goalkeepers, adding Gu Sung-yu of FC Seoul to veterans Jo Hyeon-woo, Kim Seung-gyu, and Song Bum-keun.

Moreno, who was appointed on Sept. 1, stated that he analyzed data on 1,700 players and intends to use a 4-4-2 formation. He noted that this formation was the most widely used in the K League over the last two years. Moreno also denied reports that he relied too heavily on artificial intelligence in previous coaching roles, calling such reports untrue and taken out of context.

The Korea Football Association is attempting to schedule two additional matches in November. Moreno's contract runs through Nov. 27, though a clause allows him to remain in charge for the Asian Football Confederation Asian Cup in January based on the team's performance in his first six matches. This transition follows the resignation of former coach Hong Myung-bo and KFA President Chung Mong-gyu, both of whom faced police investigation regarding the hiring of Hong in July 2024 after South Korea's group stage elimination at the FIFA World Cup.