Kim Min-jae (29, Bayern Munich), who was unable to join the national team's call-up due to injury, sent a message of support to the national team through his team Bayern Munich's social media account. 

The South Korean national soccer team, led by head coach Hong Myung-bo (56), will play Group B 7 of the third Asian qualifying round for the 2026 FIFA North-China World Cup against Oman at Goyang Stadium in Gyeonggi Province at 8 p.m. on the 20th.메이저놀이터

Korea maintains the top position in Group B with 14 points (four wins and two draws). Iraq (11 points), Jordan (9 points), Oman (6 points), Kuwait (4 points) and Palestine (3 points). The first and second place in each group of the third preliminary round will be given a ticket to the finals. 

If South Korea wins both the match against Oman and Jordan scheduled for the 25th and earns six points, it will confirm its advance to the World Cup finals for the 11th consecutive time regardless of the results of its showdown with Iraq and Kuwait in June.

Korea won 3-1 in an away match against Oman in the third qualifying round held in Muscat, Oman, in September last year. At the time, Son Heung-min (Tottenham Hotspur) showed stellar performance with one goal and two assists. He is committed to suppressing Oman at home as well.

On Wednesday, a day before the match, all 28 members of the Korean national team completed their last training session before the event. One variable is the absence of Kim Min-jae. Of course, Kim Min-jae will not struggle against his opponent just because Kim Min-jae is absent, but as he has to bring up a new defense lineup, he has some risks. 

Kim Joo-sung, the starting center back of FC Seoul, was selected in place of Kim Min-jae, who collapsed due to injury. Kwon Kyung-won (Korpakan), Jung Seung-hyun (Al-Wasl), and Cho Yoo-min (Sharja) were also selected, while Park Seung-wook (Kim Cheon Sang-moo) is also a resource that can play as a center back. 

Kim Min-jae, who was released from his call-up, left a message of support for the national team through Bayern Munich's official social media account on Tuesday. He left a short but bold message, "Fighting for my part!" Bayern also left a message, saying, "Even if you can't be with your body, I'm sending you support with my heart!" 

Meanwhile, head coach Hong Myung-bo, who met on the 19th, said, "It is time for a change in defense," and stressed, "The key issue is how much players have spent together."

"It's time for a change. It's a good opportunity for the team. That's how much I felt that the players were ready," he added.