{
  "id": 7247730,
  "title": "Swiss-based forward late to join nat'l football team, expected during group stage",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/14/swiss-based-forward-late-to-join-natl-football-team-expected-during-7247730",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-14T05:07:02.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Korea Times",
    "slug": "the-korea-times-koreatimes",
    "url": "https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/sports/20260914/swiss-based-forward-late-to-join-natl-football-team-expected-during-group-stage"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Swiss-based forward Lee Young-jun is set to join the national football team for the upcoming Asian Games in Japan, with expectations to be a key offensive player. Despite being included in the 23-man squad by head coach Lee Min-sung, the forward's Swiss club Grasshopper has yet to release him as of the eve of Korea's first Group D match against Qatar. The 193-centimeter striker's inclusion in the team is crucial as they aim for their fourth consecutive gold medal. According to a KFA official, the delay in releasing Lee is due to some confusion between the KFA and Grasshopper following a recent leadership change at the Swiss club. Lee Min-sung himself admitted to \"having a bit of an issue\" with the situation, without providing further details, but assured that the rest of the team will proceed as planned.",
  "summary": "In Korea's buildup to the men's football tournament at the Asian Games in central Japan this month, Grasshopper forward Lee Young-jun has been conspicuous by his absence. Lee, 23, was called up to the 23-man squad by head coach Lee Min-sung for the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games in July. But the player's Swiss club had not yet released the forward as of Monday, the eve of Korea's first Group D match…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Yonhap News",
        "title": "(Asiad) Swiss-based forward late to join nat'l football team, expected during group stage",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/14/asiad-swiss-based-forward-late-to-join-natl-football-team-expected",
        "published": "2026-09-14T03:54:18.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Korea Times",
        "title": "Swiss-based forward late to join nat'l football team, expected during group stage",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/14/swiss-based-forward-late-to-join-natl-football-team-expected-during",
        "published": "2026-09-14T04:57:03.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}