![Lee Kang-in trains at Zions Bank Training Center in Herriman, Utah, on Monday afternoon local time. [Yonhap]](https://wimg.heraldcorp.com/news/cms/2026/06/02/rcv.YNA.20260602.PYH2026060201130001300_P1.jpg)
Lee Kang-in of Paris Saint-Germain, fresh off a UEFA Champions League winner's medal, joined South Korea's World Cup squad on Monday — just 10 days before the North and Central America World Cup kicks off.
After PSG completed their 2025-26 UEFA Champions League final, Lee arrived at the national team's pre-tournament camp in Salt Lake City, Utah, on Monday afternoon local time. He skipped a stop at the team hotel and went straight to Zions Bank Training Center in Herriman, near Salt Lake City, where he immediately joined training.
Lee was the last player to arrive, delayed by his club's participation in the Champions League final.
He did not appear in the match itself but supported his teammates from the bench as PSG beat Arsenal on penalties to claim back-to-back UCL titles.
Lee's focus now turns fully to the World Cup.
It will be his second consecutive World Cup, following the 2022 tournament in Qatar — but his standing within the squad has changed. Four years ago he was a backup under coach Paulo Bento; under Hong Myung-bo, he is the team's ace.
With Lee's arrival, the squad is finally complete. Hong's side began training on May 18 with players from the English Championship and the K League, and Europe-based players joined in stages from May 25. Lee's arrival Monday brought all 26 squad members together for the first time.
South Korea thrashed Trinidad and Tobago 5-0 in a friendly two days ago and will face El Salvador in their final warmup match at 10 a.m. Korean time on Thursday before departing.
The team then travels on Friday local time to Guadalajara, Mexico, which will serve as their base camp and host their first two group-stage matches.
min3654@heraldcorp.com
