Kim Young-gwon – South Korea Defender | 2026 World Cup Performance Analysis
Every legendary 2026 World Cup run begins with a fortress at the back, and Kim Young-gwon is the rock upon which South Korea's dreams are built.
A reliable presence at Ulsan HD, Kim Young-gwon has shown steady improvement and the kind of dependability that tournament football demands. His record of 6 goals and 2 assists in 100 caps reflects a defender whose influence extends far beyond the stats sheet, carrying a 6.8/10 rating. At 36, he brings irreplaceable veteran wisdom—the kind of composure that steadies an entire squad under World Cup pressure.
There is a minor fitness question mark—veteran managing workload—but Kim Young-gwon has overcome adversity before. South Korea know that even at 80%, his quality and big-game experience make him irreplaceable in their 2026 World Cup squad.
As South Korea navigate the 2026 World Cup across the stadiums of the United States, Canada, and Mexico, Kim Young-gwon's defensive intelligence could unlock the path to the latter rounds. His Performance Analysis profile is that of a player born for tournament football.
Dive into Kim Young-gwon's complete Key Stats breakdown and head-to-head Performance Analysis using our real-time comparison dashboard below. See exactly why he could be South Korea's most important player at the 2026 World Cup.