Castrop bridges cultures as he debuts with South Korea

Jens Castrop started South Korea’s World Cup opener against the Czech Republic on the bench, yet his presence in the squad already represents a remarkable personal journey. Born in Germany to a German father and a South Korean mother, the Borussia Mönchengladbach midfielder grew up aware of a dual identity that set him apart from his peers.

Speaking to FIFA, he recalled always knowing he was “at least half Korean,” a feeling that ultimately guided his international choice. After representing Germany at youth level, Castrop opted to play for South Korea and featured in warm‑up matches before the tournament, fulfilling a long‑held dream of honouring his mother’s heritage. His selection places him in rare company: he becomes only the second mixed‑heritage footballer to represent South Korea at a World Cup, following Jang Dae‑il in 1998. For Castrop, the call‑up marks both a personal milestone and a new chapter in the evolving story of Korean football.