Oh Hyun-gyu to start against South Africa as Son Heung-min drops to bench

Oh Hyun-gyu, who scored the go-ahead goal against the Czech Republic in the group stage, will lead the attack in South Korea's final group-stage match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Coach Hong Myung-bo named Oh as the starting striker for South Korea's Group A third-round match against South Africa at Estadio BBVA in Guadalupe, Mexico, on Thursday morning Korean Standard Time.

It marks the first time Oh has started a World Cup match. He came off the bench to score the go-ahead goal in South Korea's 2-1 victory over the Czech Republic on June 12.

Son Heung-min, meanwhile, has been named as a substitute for the first time since the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

Oh will lead the attack alongside wingers Hwang Hee-chan and Lee Kang-in. Hwang In-beom and Baek Seung-ho will partner in midfield. Lee Ki-hyuk, Kim Min-jae and Lee Han-beom form a three-man backline, with Seol Young-woo (Zvezda) and Lee Tae-seok (Vienna) as the wing backs.

Kim Seung-gyu (Tokyo) will once again guard the goal.

With Son starting on the bench, Kim Min-jae will wear the captain's armband.