KFA said Valencia agreed to release Lee for the May 23 -June 15 tournament in Poland. U-20 head coach Chung Jung-yong returned from Spain last week after meeting with Valencia representatives, the KFA added, and the attacking midfielder will report to training camp at the National Football Center in Paju, north of Seoul, next Tuesday.

The KFA said it's in talks with other European clubs for the release of Korean players, namely Jeong Woo-yeong of Bayern Munich in Germany's Bundesliga and Kim Jung-min of FC Liefering in Austria.

Instead, he is relishing the opportunity to rub shoulders with the world's best players. "Many say it is the toughest group," the 19-year-old Suwon Bluewings striker said.

"The fans are seemingly concerned about the group rivals because they are among the world's finest teams. But I am looking forward to it as I am excited to compete against the best teams.

Now wearing the Number 10 jersey at Kashima Antlers, the 20-year-old is hungry for more success this year, for both club and country.

While currently focused on Kashima’s domestic and Continental campaigns which began last month, Abe will be hoping to impress for Japan at the FIFA U-20 World Cup Poland 2019 in May.

Saudi Arabia, the 2018 AFC U-19 Championship winners, were drawn in Group E with France, Mali and Panama.

Japan, defeated 2-1 by Saudi Arabia in the 2018 AFC U-19 Championship final, will play in Group B with the 1999 runners-up having Mexico, Italy and Ecuador for company.

Korea Republic were drawn in Group F with six-time champions Argentina, twice winners Portugal and South Africa, while 1981 runners-up Qatar, will play in Group D with Nigeria, Ukraine and USA.