Lee Seung-woo (26, Jeonbuk) has returned to the Korean national football team for the first time in five years and four months. Lee, who always looked like the youngest, is now called “Seung-woo type.” The team has 10 younger players than Lee. Lee said, “I want to make good memories and leave the team, rather than being greedy.” Lee had a press conference before joining the official training camp for the Korean national team at Yongin Mir Stadium on Tuesday. “I have been waiting for this moment so desperately,” Lee said.
It was an unexpected opportunity. Hwang Hee-chan (Wolverhampton) and Um Ji-sung (Swansea City) were disqualified due to injury after the away match in Jordan. The Korea Football Association announced on Wednesday that Hwang Hee-chan was not allowed to play in the match against Iraq due to left neck and Um Ji-sung’s left knee injury. Lee Seung-woo and Moon Seon-min have been substituted.
A former member of the F.C. Barcelona Youth, Lee has been active in European leagues, including Verona (Italy) and Sintrawidan (Belgium), but failed to establish himself. He came to the 안전놀이터 K-League by signing a contract with Suwon FC in 2022. Lee was eliminated from the 2022 World Cup entry in Qatar, signaling his revival in the K-League. He had 14 goals and 3 assists in 35 games in 2022, followed by 10 goals and 3 assists in 35 games in 2023. This year, he garnered 10 goals and 2 assists in 18 games, before moving to Jeonbuk in July. Lee was called upon by coach Hong Myung-bo as his second-tier teammates of the A-team collapsed due to tightrope injuries.
The national team, led by head coach Hong Myung-bo, will play against Iraq in the third Asian qualifying round for the 2026 North-China World Cup at 8 p.m. on the 15th. If Lee Seung-woo plays in the match, it will be the first time in 1953 since a friendly match against Iran held at Seoul World Cup Stadium on June 11, 2019.
Lee said, “I didn’t realize it had been five years. I didn’t know it’s been this long. I knew it from the article. It’s been so long. I was surprised, too.” “The uniforms of the national team have changed a lot, and the uniforms are new. I think the athletes have remained the same, but I think the environmental aspects such as clothes and staff have changed a lot,” he said. “I couldn’t get a train ticket as I was in a hurry. I got on the train the next morning after I heard the news. I didn’t have a ticket. I came to the standing room. I paid for it,” Lee said, displaying his confidence to make people laugh. Surprisingly, he did not become famous. “I don’t think (the fans) saw him well because he crouched down with Moon Seon-min at the end. I came quietly to the standing room.”
Of course, there is no guarantee that Lee will be able to play on the ground. Still, Lee said he would give everything he can to his role. “It would be the best if I participate, but even if it’s not that, I hope I can make many good memories here,” Lee said. “If I get a chance to participate, I just want to do my best. It’s been such a long time. I’ve been waiting for this moment. I want to prepare well and show everything I can show.”
Team Korea was on an upward trajectory, defeating Jordan 2-0. “The mood of the team is so good. Of course, I feel sorry for some injured players, but the atmosphere among the players is so good,” Lee said. “They’ve all seen each other so much. I felt so relaxed, maybe because I saw them during the offseason as well. It didn’t feel like five years have passed. Thank you for welcoming me and congratulating me so much.”
Lee said, “I will not look too far away. I try to focus on the moment that lies ahead rather than the World Cup finals. I didn’t have time to think about the World Cup because it was my first time in five years (for the national team). I strengthened myself by training day by day thinking that things will go smoothly. I have never thought about making it to the finals of the North-China World Cup even though I came to this special place after a long time.”
