Late Injury Replacement Cho Wi-je Set for World Cup Opportunity

Cho Wi-je, a 24-year-old defender, is set to make his World Cup debut after being called up as a last-minute replacement for the injured Cho Yu-min. This unexpected opportunity comes just a year after Wi-je was playing in South Korea's second division.

Cho Yu-min suffered a foot injury following South Korea's impressive 5-0 victory against Trinidad and Tobago, paving the way for Wi-je’s inclusion in the national team. Previously, he had been part of the squad as a training partner and is now in line to compete against South Africa, the Czech Republic, and the co-host nation, Mexico, in Group A.

Having joined Jeonbuk, the reigning champions of South Korea, earlier this year, Cho Wi-je has quickly adapted to the demands of top-flight football. Reflecting on his remarkable journey, he remarked, "If someone told me last year that I would be going to the World Cup in 2026, I would never have believed that. This feels like a dream."

Cho is eager to learn from his teammate Kim Min-jae, a seasoned central defender from Bayern Munich with nearly 80 caps for South Korea. "He has so much experience battling top European players and I want to pick his brain about that," Cho stated. He acknowledged the need to elevate his game, noting, "Min-jae is so much quicker than most players, and I have to be quicker on my feet to get to that level."

Cho expressed sympathy for Cho Yu-min, acknowledging his significant contribution to the team's World Cup qualification. "Yu-min played such an important role in helping us qualify for the World Cup, and it was really tough to see him leave," he said. "To fill his void I just have to perform as well as I can."