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Cho Wi-je’s Remarkable Rise From Second Division to World Cup Squad

Posted : 02 June 2026

Just a year after playing in South Korea’s second division, defender Cho Wi-je is now heading to the FIFA World Cup following a surprise late call-up to the national squad.

The 24-year-old was drafted in after teammate Cho Yu-min was ruled out due to a foot injury sustained after South Korea’s 5-0 friendly win over Trinidad and Tobago. Cho Wi-je had initially been part of the squad as a training partner, but has now been elevated into the official tournament group.

His inclusion means he is in contention to feature in South Korea’s Group A matches against South Africa, the Czech Republic, and co-hosts Mexico. The defender admitted the turnaround has been difficult to comprehend, especially given how recently he was still competing in K League 2 for Busan IPark before moving to Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors at the start of the year.

Speaking at the team’s training camp in Utah, Cho described the moment as surreal, saying he would not have believed a World Cup call-up was possible just 12 months ago. He said the experience feels like a dream as he adjusts to life on football’s biggest stage.

Since joining Jeonbuk, Cho has impressed in his first full season in top-flight football, earning recognition for his steady development and defensive improvement. His rapid progress has now been rewarded with a place in South Korea’s World Cup squad.

At international camp, he has been training alongside experienced Bayern Munich defender Kim Min-jae, who has spent several years competing at the highest level in Europe. Cho said he is eager to learn from his senior teammate and understand what it takes to succeed against elite opposition.

He acknowledged the disappointment of seeing Cho Yu-min miss out so close to the tournament, praising his teammate’s role in helping South Korea qualify. However, he stressed that his focus is now on stepping up and contributing whenever called upon during the competition.

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