SOUTH KOREA

Widely regarded as Asia’s finest centre-back, “the Monster” gets his physicality from his judo-trained dad and his pace from his mum, a track and field athlete. Kim’s club career has been stellar: in 2023 he was named Serie A’s best defender when playing for Napoli, whose then coach, Luciano Spalletti, said: “He does at least 20 unbelievable things per game. When he runs with the ball at his feet, he's inside the opposition penalty area within five seconds." Soon after that award he made a £43m move to Bayern Munich, juggling that with completing his compulsory military service. The move made him the most expensive Asian footballer of all time. After the 2022 World Cup, Son Heung-min announced during a dinner that Kim was the side’s best-looking player. Kim responded: “I don’t trust people who say I’m handsome.”

Hwang became a cornerstone of the national team under Paulo Bento, who handed him a starting role after his impressive performance in the 2018 Asian Games gold medal run, and he will be key to any success the side have this summer. A hugely well-travelled player, his career path began in Daejeon before moves to Vancouver Whitecaps, Rubin Kazan, FC Seoul, Olympiakos, Red Star Belgrade and, in 2024, to Feyenoord. A versatile box-to-box midfielder, he suffered an injury scare in March, damaging ankle ligaments in a game against Excelsior, but recovered in time to make the cut. His favourite career game so far? “Korea's game against Portugal in the final World Cup group stage match in 2022, and that will never change. That was the most dramatic game that I've ever played in, and the result [2-1 for Korea] made me the happiest person. I pride myself in being a footballer who helped to create a result that made all of our people in Korea happy.”

2025 was a big year for Son. As the captain who finally broke Tottenham’s trophy curse, he ended a decade in north London with a £20m move to Los Angeles – an MLS record – amid a blizzard of “east versus west” marketing pitting Lionel Messi in the Eastern Conference versus Son in the Western. He remains a superb talent, though there was some criticism in the buildup to the World Cup that he has started losing his edge. Son hit back, saying: “I don't think I've suffered any dip in my performance. It's disappointing that people talk about decline whenever I hit a dry spell. I know there are high expectations on me because I've scored so many goals over the years. I am always doing the best I can, and I am feeling good physically." In 2022 he launched his own fashion brand, NOS7, standing for “Nothing, Ordinary Sunday”, with the brand ethos focused on reflection and calm at the weekend: “Weekend after a busy week, we share that precious moment.”

A genuine South Korea legend with more than 100 caps. He traded his K League MVP status for Germany in 2018, joining Holstein Kiel before moving to Mainz in 2021. Despite his slender frame he is a formidable aerial specialist, a prolific scorer with his head. He knows time is catching up with him, and said in March: “It's the last and my third World Cup, but there's nothing particularly different about this one. I've always felt the same. The World Cup was a stage I dreamed of since childhood. I think each day will be precious. I'll do my best in the remaining time. If I play, I hope it will be an enjoyable time. Of course we have to achieve results, but I want to spend enjoyable time with the players rather than suffering under pressure. I want to have a good time in front of the many citizens who support us.” He’s known affectionately as Strawberry Milk thanks to a spirited dance performance with the girl group at a K League awards ceremony.

Widely acknowledged as one of the finest left-footed attackers in South Korean history. Lee first became famous aged just six when he starred in the reality football TV show Fly Shoot Dori, which paired kids with former professionals as they learned the game. “I won the show,” he said last year. “I made a lot of friends there, and I have fond memories of it … The coaches instilled in me the idea of not losing easy balls and trying to play forward. I've loved football since I was a child, and so has my family.” He moved to Spain aged 10 to join the Valencia youth academy and made rapid progress through the ranks. He made his senior club debut at 17, then won the Golden Ball at the 2019 Under-20 World Cup. That same year he won Asian young footballer of the year, and made his senior international debut. He joined Paris Saint-Germain for £18m in 2023 where he became the first Asian player to win a continental treble.