World Cup 2022: South Korea name five Kims in one team

World Cup 2022: South Korea name five Kims in one team
(Image credit: Maddie Meyer - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

South Korea have named five players called Kim for their first World Cup 2022 match.

While Kim Kardashian and Kim Woodburn are perhaps unlucky to have missed the squad, the South Koreans have named all five players in the defence and in goal, meaning the entire backline have the same name. We hope they have nicknames for one another. 

In goal, Kim Seung-gyu is a veteran keeper of this side but didn't get on the pitch in 2018, despite being taken along for the ride. He plays for Saudi Arabian club Al-Shabab, having moved there in the summer, so at least he'll be used to the heat. 

The big star of this defence, Kim Min-jae is having a fantastic season top of the Serie A table with Napoli. The centre-back has been in excellent form and has since been linked with the likes of Manchester United, while his defensive partner, Ulsan Hyundai defender Kim Young-gwon played at the last two World Cups, knocking out the Germans with a late goal in Russia. 

Right-back Kim Moon-hwan plays for Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors having had a spell at Los Angeles FC, while the left-back of the team – and the last Kim on display today for Korea – is clubmate from Jeonbuk Kim Jin-su, playing his first World Cup at the age of 30. 

On the bench for the South Koreans, Kim Tae-hwan of K-League side Ulsan Hyundai might take the Kim tally up to six, should he get onto the pitch.

Uruguay, to confirm, have not a single Kim within their squad

Mark White
Content Editor

Mark White has been at on FourFourTwo since joining in January 2020, first as a staff writer before becoming content editor in 2023. An encyclopedia of football shirts and boots knowledge – both past and present – Mark has also represented FFT at both FA Cup and League Cup finals (though didn't receive a winners' medal on either occasion) and has written pieces for the mag ranging on subjects from Bobby Robson's season at Barcelona to Robinho's career. He has written cover features for the mag on Mikel Arteta and Martin Odegaard, and is assisted by his cat, Rosie, who has interned for the brand since lockdown.

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