On the day the 26-member South Korea national team challenging the FIFA World Cup 2026™ was announced, FC Tokyo's guardian Kim Seung-gyu was in the midst of the excitement at Saitama Stadium 2002. The exhilaration right after defeating Urawa Reds in a penalty shootout—. While soaking in that afterglow, he confirmed his selection to the World Cup squad for the fourth time.
"When I was at the stadium, the joy of winning the match against Urawa was definitely much greater. On the way home, while reading the congratulatory messages from my family, friends, and wife, I finally began to feel the reality. I thought, 'The chance to stand on that stage again has come.'"
Son Heung-min (LAFC/USA) has been selected for the tournament for the fourth consecutive time, just like him. This achievement is on par with the greats such as the current South Korea national team coach Hong Myung-bo and Hwang Sun-hong (current Daejeon Hana Citizen coach). However, his words were surprisingly modest. There was a calmness befitting a veteran, and a coexistence of the “hope” and “reality” he has experienced at every World Cup—.
For Sungyu, the original image of the World Cup is the 2002 tournament. He was in the sixth grade of elementary school and watched the Germany vs. USA match held in his hometown of Ulsan, laughing as he said, "I only remember having fun and making a lot of noise, going with the atmosphere."
It was after experiencing reaching the quarterfinals at the 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup that I began to seriously focus on this tournament as a player. At 23 years old, I was selected for the first time for the 2014 Brazil tournament, but served as the backup to the starting goalkeeper Sung Ryong JUNG. Due to the team's poor performance and defensive collapse, I was suddenly called upon to play in the third group stage match against Belgium. Looking back, I remember it as my debut stage where I "felt tremendous pressure and was trembling."
Although they lost the match and South Korea was also eliminated in the group stage, they desperately repelled shots from world-class attackers, fully embracing the harshness and joy of "this is the World Cup." The admired "dream stage" changed from this moment into a "place of competition."
However, the Russia tournament four years later was a "place of setback." At Vissel Kobe, where he belonged at the time, build-up play was emphasized and goalkeepers were required to have foot skills. Sungyu struggled with balancing "defending" and "connecting." Amid changes in the national team, overthinking caused him to lose confidence, resulting in him giving up the starting goalkeeper position to his peer Cho Hyunwoo and having to watch the tournament from the bench.
Even so, he did not get discouraged and said, "Even while I couldn't play in matches, I was made to think deeply about soccer, and it was actually the tournament where I learned the most." That struggle and realization became a great nourishment leading to his maturity.
After emerging from the tunnel of uncertainty, Sungyu made a complete comeback under coach Paulo Bento following the Russia tournament. He fit perfectly into the style that emphasizes build-up and possession, playing as the main goalkeeper in all matches at the 2022 Qatar tournament. He led South Korea to advance to the knockout stage for the first time in 12 years.
"The most memorable moment was when I scored the winning goal in the Final Round match against Portugal. With little time left, Heung-min charged forward fiercely with a dribble, and in the end, Hwang Hee-chan (currently with Wolverhampton/England) scored. It was the best feeling to witness the whole sequence from the back."
Although we suffered a heavy defeat against Brazil in the 1st Round of the final tournament, we are neither pessimistic nor regretful. Rather, it was a tournament where we were able to firmly believe that there was no mistake in the football we have built up ourselves.
However, about a year later, the biggest crisis of his career occurred. In January 2024, during the AFC Asian Cup held in Qatar, he tore his right knee anterior cruciate ligament. He avoided surgery with conservative treatment and returned to play in July, but in November of the same year, he injured the same area again and was forced to undergo surgery this time. Two ligament tears in his mid-30s. It was a devastating blow that took away his "everyday life."
"When I first got injured, I was determined to get back quickly. But when I got injured in the same place again right after returning, I was really down and fought an indescribable fear every day."
At that time, he was with Al Shabab in Saudi Arabia, but during his rehabilitation period, he attended a K League (Korea) match as a lone spectator and sometimes watched the pitch from the corner of the stadium. He endured days of loss, feeling like he had lost his place. "If my body doesn't return to how it was before, then quitting would be the right choice," he even contemplated retirement.
What saved me from such loneliness was a pure desire to play soccer once again and the presence of my wife, whom I met and married during rehabilitation.
"I had a strong desire to play soccer again. Also, I wanted to show my wife that I could stand on the pitch once more. I felt that if I couldn't do that, I would regret it for the rest of my life."
And just as he began to show an astonishing recovery, a ray of light shone through. It was an offer from FC Tokyo.
"There were talks from the K League and some J clubs, but FC Tokyo went out of their way to come all the way to Korea to directly check on my condition before making an offer. They acquired me trusting me, fully aware of the risk of re-injury or the risk that my condition might not return. As a player, I felt a strong sense of responsibility to repay that trust through my performance."
The moment the fire called 'gratitude' to the club was lit in Sungyu's chest as he put on the blue and red uniform.
More than a year has passed since then. Even now, he is inspired and freshly shocked on the pitch at Kodaira Ground. "When I watch Hayate TANAKA and the young goalkeepers play, there are times when they perform movements or reactions that even I can't do. At those times, I ask questions and learn," he says, maintaining a diligent attitude. He is also further inspired by veterans like Yuto NAGATOMO and Masato MORISHIGE.
"I was especially surprised when I first saw Yuto. Sometimes, the amount of practice he does right in front of me exceeds that of younger players. At his age, he maintains such a high level of performance and continues to have the passion to participate in the World Cup. I thought of myself as a veteran, but it made me realize that I still have a lot to learn."
Regardless of playing opportunities, I saw the true definition of a veteran in their sincere and hard work in practice. Witnessing how their words and mentality change the atmosphere of FC Tokyo, I am aware that I must take on that role in the South Korean national team as well.
"In the past, I only had to think about myself. But now, as a veteran, I have the responsibility to look after the entire team. I want to demonstrate what I learned at FC Tokyo with the South Korean national team as well."
The coach leading the South Korean team in this tournament is Hong Myung-bo, a prominent figure in South Korean football who also made a mark in the J.League. Having met at the 2009 U-20 World Cup and given a chance at the 2014 main tournament, the coach and I are challenging the world for the third time after more than ten years.
South Korea's primary goal is to reach the best 32. However, he is also aware of the battles beyond that. If they advance in the tournament, penalty shootouts will be unavoidable. "I am ready to be the main player. I definitely want to prove that the intense daily battles and training at FC Tokyo can stand up on the world stage," he declares.
The passionate and warm support from FC Tokyo's fans and supporters always pushes me forward. My wife was deeply moved by the heartfelt send-off from the fans and supporters who came to the airport to celebrate me heading off on my honeymoon. I am truly grateful to the club and the fans and supporters who not only accepted me without hesitation despite the risks but also created an opportunity to open the door to the world once again, supporting me both professionally and personally.
"Therefore, I believe this gratitude can only be repaid through results on the pitch. I promise to show a performance as a member of FC Tokyo in the World Cup that we can all be proud of."
Wearing the red and blue uniform, I have mixed feelings about not being able to fight together in the Meiji Yasuda J1 Century Vision League playoff round, but I am not worried. My trust in the juniors who will protect the goal in my absence is unwavering. "Hayate is truly sincere and a great keeper, so I am not worried. He will surely defend well in the playoffs. When I return from the World Cup, I want to promise the fans and supporters that we will work together again to aim for the championship," he vowed strongly.
At the national team selection press conference held on May 17, Sungyu described this World Cup as "an extension of his football career (Yonjanjong)." Having once been prepared to retire, these words also reflect his feeling that his current career is like a "bonus." However, he does not intend to treat it as just a celebration. He is not satisfied with just participating for the fourth time.
"The number of times you have appeared in the World Cup does not hold meaning. What matters is achieving solid results. That is important, and I want to be particular about that. However, that doesn't mean I intend to become stiff or approach it with a sense of despair. Until now, I haven't had the composure to truly enjoy the stage of the World Cup, but this time, I want to enjoy playing on this grand stage and fight while feeling happiness."
Above all, the support of my family for this challenge is immense. Just before the World Cup kicks off, our first child, a daughter, is expected to be born in South Korea. To my wife, who has stood by me through difficult times, and to the small life about to be born, I have a responsibility as a father to set an example.
"When my daughter, who is yet to be born, grows up someday, I want this to be a tournament where I can proudly say, 'When you were born, Dad was fighting on a big stage called the World Cup.'"
The pressure of 2014, the struggles of 2018, the maturity and joy of 2022. And beyond overcoming the retirement crisis lies the 2026 "Overtime". Kim Seung-gyu now quietly and passionately heads to the big stage for the fourth time, carrying the pride of FC Tokyo and the thoughts of fans and supporters in his heart.
(Honorifics omitted in the text)
Text by Takehiro Shin (Pitch Communications)
