On the day the 26 members of the South Korean national team challenging the FIFA World Cup 2026™ were announced, FC Tokyo's guardian Kim Seung-gyu was amidst the excitement at Saitama Stadium 2002. The exhilaration right after defeating the Urawa Reds in a penalty shootout—while soaking in that lingering feeling, he confirmed his selection for 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. It was only on the way home, reading the congratulatory messages from my family, friends, and wife, that I finally began to feel it sink in. I realized that the chance to stand on that stage again had come.”
Like Son Heung-min (LAFC/USA), he was selected for four consecutive tournaments. This is an achievement on par with current South Korea national team coach Hong Myung-bo and Hwang Sun-hong (current Daejeon Hana Citizen coach). However, his words were surprisingly modest. Within them coexisted the composure of a veteran and the “hope” and “reality” he grasped each time at the World Cup――.
For Seung-gyu, the original image of the World Cup lies in the 2002 tournament. When he was in the sixth grade of elementary school, he watched the Germany vs. USA match held in his hometown of Ulsan and laughs, "I only remember having fun and making a lot of noise, going with the atmosphere."
He became aware of the main tournament as a player after experiencing reaching the quarterfinals at the 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup. At 23 years old, he was selected for the first time for the 2014 Brazil World Cup, but as the backup to the starting goalkeeper Sung Ryong JUNG. Due to the team's poor performance and defensive collapse, he was suddenly called to play in the third group stage match against Belgium. He later recalled, "I felt an overwhelming pressure and was trembling" in his debut appearance.
Although the match was lost and South Korea was eliminated in the group stage, he desperately blocked shots from world-class attackers and fully embraced the harshness and joy of "this is the World Cup." The admired "dream stage" transformed into a "battlefield" from that moment on.
However, the Russia tournament four years later was a “place of setback.” At that time, while he was with Vissel Kobe, where build-up play was emphasized and goalkeepers were required to have foot skills, Seung-gyu 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 contemporary Cho Hyun-woo and having no choice but to watch the tournament from the bench.
Even so, he did not get discouraged, saying, "Even while I couldn't play in matches, I was forced to think deeply about soccer, and in fact, it was the tournament where I learned the most." That struggle and realization became a great source of growth leading to maturity.
Having emerged from the tunnel of doubt, Seung-gyu made a full comeback after the Russia tournament under coach Paulo Bento. He adapted perfectly to the style that emphasized build-up and possession, and at the 2022 Qatar tournament, he played every match as the starting goalkeeper, leading South Korea to the knockout stage for the first time in 12 years.
"The most memorable moment was scoring the winning goal against Portugal. With little time left, Heung-min charged forward with a fierce dribble, and in the end, Hwang Hee-chan (currently at Wolverhampton/England) scored. Being able to witness the entire sequence from the back was the best experience."
Although they suffered a heavy defeat to Brazil in the 1st Round of the Final Round, there was neither pessimism nor regret. Rather, it was a tournament where he was able to be confident that "there was no mistake in the football he had built up."
However, about a year later, the greatest crisis of his career arrived. In January 2024, during the AFC Asian Cup held in Qatar, he tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee. He avoided surgery through conservative treatment and returned to play in July, but in November of the same year, he injured the same spot again and was forced to undergo surgery this time. Two ligament tears in his mid-thirties. It was a devastating blow that took away his "everyday life."
"When I first got injured, I was determined to 'get back as soon as possible.' But when I injured the same spot again right after returning, I was really down and fought an indescribable fear every day."
At that time, I was with Al Shabab in Saudi Arabia, but during my rehabilitation period, I even went to watch K League (Korea) matches as a spectator, looking at the pitch from the corner of the stadium. I endured days of loss, having lost my place. I even contemplated retirement, thinking, 'If my body doesn't return to how it was before, then quitting would be the right choice.'
What saved me from such loneliness was the pure desire to play soccer once again and the presence of my wife, whom I met and married during rehabilitation.
"My desire to play soccer again was very strong. And 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 carry regret for the rest of my life."
Just as he began to show an astonishing recovery, a ray of light shone through. That was an offer from FC Tokyo.
"There were talks from the K League and several J clubs as well, 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 took on the risk of re-injury or the risk that my condition might not return, and trusted me enough to sign me. As a player, I felt a strong sense of responsibility to repay them through my performance."
It was the moment when the fire called 'gratitude' for the club was lit in Sungyu's chest as he donned the blue and red uniform.
More than a year has passed since then. Even now, he continues to be inspired and freshly shocked on the pitch at Kodaira Ground. "When I watch the plays of Hayate (Hayate TANAKA) and the young goalkeepers, there are occasional moves and reactions that even I cannot perform. At such times, I ask questions and learn," he says, maintaining his diligent attitude. He is also further inspired by veterans like Yuto NAGATOMO and Masato MORISHIGE.
"I was especially surprised the first time I saw Yuto. Sometimes, the amount of training he does right in front of me exceeds that of the younger players. At his age, he maintains such a high level of performance and continues to hold the passion to play in the World Cup. I thought of myself as a veteran too, but it made me keenly realize that I still have a lot to learn."
Regardless of whether he gets playing time or not, his sincere and hard work in training showed me the true definition of a veteran. Witnessing firsthand how their words and mentality change the atmosphere at FC Tokyo, I am also aware that I must take on that role in the South Korean national team.
"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 have learned at FC Tokyo with the South Korean national team as well."
The one leading the South Korean national team in this tournament is the esteemed Hong Myung-bo, a prominent figure in Korean football who also made his mark in the J.League. Having met him at the 2009 U-20 World Cup and given a chance by this coach at the 2014 main tournament, he now challenges 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 through the tournament, penalty shootouts will be unavoidable. "I am ready to take center stage. I definitely want to prove that the fierce daily battles and training at FC Tokyo can stand up on the world stage," he declares.
The passionate and warm cheers from FC Tokyo’s fans and supporters always push me forward. My wife was deeply moved by the heartfelt gesture of the fans and supporters who came to see me off at the airport to celebrate our honeymoon. I am filled with nothing but gratitude for the club and fans who not only accepted me without hesitation despite the risks but also created the opportunity to open the door to the world once again and supported me both professionally and personally.
"Therefore, I believe this gratitude can only be repaid through results on the pitch. I promise to show a side of myself that FC Tokyo can be proud of as a member of the team at the World Cup."
Although I feel a bit reluctant that I cannot fight alongside my teammates in the red and blue uniform in the Meiji Yasuda J1 Century Vision League playoff round, I am not worried. My trust in the juniors who will guard the goal in my absence is unwavering. "Hayate is truly sincere and a great goalkeeper, so I am not worried. He will surely protect the goal firmly during the playoffs. When I return from the World Cup, I want to promise all the fans and supporters that we will work together again to aim for the championship," he vows strongly.
At the national team selection press conference held on May 17, Seung-gyu described this World Cup as an "overtime (Yeonjangjeon) of his soccer career." These words also stem from the feeling that, having once been prepared to retire, his current career is like a "bonus." However, he does not intend to treat this merely as a celebration. He is not satisfied with just participating for the fourth time.
"The significance of the World Cup is not in how many times you have participated. What matters is achieving solid results. That is important, and I want to focus on that. However, that does not mean I intend to become stiff or approach it with a sense of despair. Until now, I haven’t had the luxury 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 presence of my family, who supports this challenge, is also significant. Just before the start of the World Cup, our first child, a daughter, is expected to be born in Korea. To my wife, who has walked through difficult times with me, and to the small life about to be born, there is a legacy I must leave as a father.
"When my daughter, who is about to be born, grows up someday, I want this tournament to be one I can proudly say, 'When you were born, Dad was fighting on the 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 'extra time.' Kim Seung-gyu now quietly yet passionately heads toward his fourth big stage, carrying the pride of FC Tokyo and the hopes of the fans and supporters in his heart.
(Honorifics omitted in the text)
Text by Takehiro Shin (Pitch Communications)
