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Defender Cho Yu-min ruled out of World Cup with foot injury
![Korea defender Cho Yu-min lies on the ground after sustaining an injury during a friendly match between Korea and Trinidad and Tobago ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America at BYU South Field on the campus of Brigham Young University in Salt Lake City on May 30. [NEWS1]](https://image.koreajoongangdaily.com/12586803.webp?imageId=12586803&width=960&height=642&format=jpg)
Defender Cho Yu-min was ruled out of the FIFA World Cup on Sunday due to a foot injury suffered during a friendly match the previous day.
The Korea Football Association (KFA) announced Cho will miss the tournament due to a partial tear of the plantar fascia in his right foot.
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"He will be out for eight weeks, and we decided he won't be able to play in the World Cup," a national team official told reporters Sunday in Salt Lake City, where the Taegeuk Warriors have been training since mid-May ahead of the June 11 to July 19 World Cup. "He will return home and focus on treatment and recovery."
Cho suffered the injury in a noncontact play during Korea's 5-0 win over Trinidad and Tobago on Saturday at BYU South Field in Provo, Utah.
After stealing the ball from an opposing player early in the second half, Cho pulled up lame and called for a team trainer, as he went down to the ground in obvious pain.
![Korea defender Cho Yu-min is carried off the field by medical staff after suffering an injury during a friendly match between Korea and Trinidad and Tobago ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America at BYU South Field on the campus of Brigham Young University in Salt Lake City on May 30. [YONHAP]](https://image.koreajoongangdaily.com/12587077.webp?imageId=12587077&width=960&height=650&format=jpg)
Cho was tended to by the medical staff for a few moments and walked gingerly off the pitch. He was then carried out of the stadium on the back of a team official.
The 29-year-old defender for Sharjah FC was about to make his second straight World Cup appearance.
Cho is the first injury casualty for Korea during their U.S. camp. Midfielder Bae Jun-ho also picked up a right ankle injury during Saturday's match, but he is expected to remain with the team.
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors defender Cho Wi-je, who traveled to Salt Lake City as one of three training partners, will replace Cho Yu-min, the KFA said.
![Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors defender Cho Wi-je takes part in the Korea national football team training session at Zions Bank Training Center in Utah on May 29. [NEWS1]](https://image.koreajoongangdaily.com/12587313.webp?imageId=12587313&width=960&height=644&format=jpg)
Cho Wi-je, 24, has yet to collect an international cap. He played for Busan IPark in the second-tier K League 2 for four seasons before joining the defending K League 1 champions Jeonbuk this season and turned heads with his steady play for one of the stingiest defenses in the top domestic competition.
Cho Wi-je was on the 55-man preliminary squad. Korea will submit its final list by the FIFA-mandated deadline Monday.
Korea will open its Group A play against Czechia on June 11 in Guadalajara, Mexico.
Stuck at work or school when Korea kicks off? We've got you covered. The Korea JoongAng Daily is live-blogging every Korea match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, around the clock. Don't miss a moment.
Yonhap