![Cho Yu-min is carried off the field by staff after sustaining an injury during South Korea's friendly against Trinidad and Tobago at BYU South Field in Provo, Utah, on May 30. [Yonhap]](https://wimg.heraldcorp.com/news/cms/2026/06/02/rcv.YNA.20260601.PYH2026060100160001300_P1.jpg)
Cho Yu-min has left South Korea's World Cup camp in tears after a sudden injury ended his dream of playing on the sport's biggest stage.
The Korea Football Association released footage Monday showing Cho departing the team's pre-tournament base in Salt Lake City, Utah.
After exchanging farewells with head coach Hong Myung-bo and the coaching staff, Cho was seen off by teammates gathered in the lobby. He hugged them and clasped their hands, managing a smile before finally breaking down in tears.
Cho suffered the injury during the May 31 friendly against Trinidad and Tobago. Medical examinations revealed a partial tear of the plantar fascia in his right heel, with a recovery estimate of eight weeks — ruling him out of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North and Central America.
"I really tried hard to prepare for this World Cup without any regrets, but I'm still left with regret and disappointment," Cho said. "I wanted to help the team in any way I could, but I wasn't able to do that. I'm sorry for leaving first."
"I'll take all the misfortune coming to this team back to Korea with me, and leave behind only the earnestness we prepared with," he said. "I sincerely hope that no one else gets injured and that everyone performs well and achieves great results at the World Cup."
He added that he would remain ready to help whenever called upon. "Please reach out whenever there's something I can do," Cho said. "I'll be cheering you on, always feeling like I'm preparing alongside you until the very end. Fighting!"
Hong's squad has called up Jo Wi-je of Jeonbuk as Cho's replacement. The team plays its final pre-tournament friendly against El Salvador on Thursday at 10 a.m. Korean Standard Time.
min3654@heraldcorp.com
