The previous U21 international Jens Castrop was first nominated for South Korea’s national soccer team just two weeks after his change of association.
The midfielder of Borussia Mönchengladbach can also hope for a World Cup participation. The home country of the 22-year-old’s mother has already qualified for the final round 2026.
“Castrop is still young, but he has continued to develop and gained experience in the Bundesliga,” said national coach Hong Myung-Bo about the nomination and added: “Above all, I appreciate his strong will and the sense of responsibility, which he has shown with his desire to play for our national team.”
Castrop changed from 1st FC Nürnberg to Gladbach in summer for 4.5 million euros, on Sunday he had given his Bundesliga debut as a substitute at 0-0 against Hamburger SV. The native of Düsseldorf had gone through all the DFB U16 since the U16, and the U21 European Championship in summer missed him.
South Korea will play against the United States in New Jersey on September 6th, three days later it goes against Mexico in Nashville. At the 2026 World Cup in Canada, the USA and Mexico, South Korea takes part in a World Cup finals for the eleventh time in a row.