Hong Myung-bo's Team Loses Cho Yu-min to 8-Week Injury; Cho Wi-je Called Up as Replacement

The South Korean national football team, preparing for the 2026 World Cup, has suffered a significant blow with the withdrawal of center-back Cho Yu-min due to injury. Cho sustained a foot injury during the recent friendly match against Trinidad and Tobago, forcing him to be released from the national team squad.

According to the Korea Football Association, medical examinations revealed that Cho suffered a partial tear of the plantar fascia in his right heel. The injury is expected to require approximately 8 weeks of recovery, effectively ending his hopes of participating in the World Cup.

Cho was substituted in the second half of the match against Trinidad and Tobago after feeling discomfort in his right ankle while defending. Despite no apparent collision with an opponent, he signaled to the bench and was helped off the field by medical staff, later being replaced by Park Jin-seop in the 54th minute.

In response to Cho's unavailability, defender Cho Wi-je, who plays for Jeonbuk, has been selected as his replacement. Cho Wi-je, a standout performer in the K League 1 this season, was already with the team in Utah as a training partner. Initially, only goalkeeper Yoon Ki-wook was slated to accompany the team through the tournament, with Cho Wi-je and midfielder Kang Sang-yoon set to return after the pre-tournament camp. However, with Cho Wi-je's elevation to the main squad, Kang Sang-yoon will also continue with the team as a training partner.

Meanwhile, forward Bae Jun-ho, who was also substituted due to an ankle issue in the same match, is reportedly not suffering from a serious injury and is expected to be available for the World Cup. A team official stated that Bae Jun-ho's condition will be monitored as he participates in training.