Hong Myung-bo, head coach of the men's national soccer team, on May 16 speaks at a news conference at KT Gwanghwamun West Building in Seoul's Jongno-gu District to announce the final roster for the FIFA World Cup in North America. (Yonhap News)

By Jeong Euiseok

The final roster for the men's national soccer team competing in the FIFA World Cup in North America has been announced.

Head coach Hong Myung-bo on May 16 held a news conference at Onmadang of KT Gwanghwamun West Building in Seoul's Jongno-gu District to release the 26-man list, along with the team's goals for the event.

Members include stars such as captain Son Heung-min, Lee Kang-in, Kim Min-jae, Hwang In-beom and Lee Jae-sung.

Hong said the Taegeuk Warriors' main goal for this tournament is to get to the round of 32 in a "favorable position."

The first contingent of the team including the coach left on May 18 for Salt Lake City, Utah, for the pre-tournament training camp.

Korea will play two friendlies -- Trinidad and Tobago on May 31 and El Salvador on June 4 -- at South Field of Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah.

This tournament will feature an expanded field of 48 teams for the first time, with Korea placed in Group A. The Taegeuk Warriors on June 12 will open their group action against the Czech Republic at Estadio Akron in Guadalajara, Mexico, then face cohost Mexico on June 19 at the same venue and South Africa on June 25 at Estadio BBVA in Monterrey.

innocence@korea.kr