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| Women’s national team during the E-1 Championship / Photo: DB |
The Korea Football Association has finalized the roster for the women’s national soccer team, led by coach Shin Sang-woo, for the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup. The announcement was made on February 10.
The Asian Cup, featuring the women’s team, is set to kick off on March 1 in Australia.
The 26-player roster includes veteran stars Ji So-yeon and Kim Hye-ri (both from Suwon FC Women), and Jang Seul-ki (Gyeongju Hansuwon). Rising talents who have shined in domestic competitions have also made the cut, including Choi Yu-jeong (Hwacheon KSPO), the 2026 WK League’s assist leader, and rookie sensation Woo Seo-bin (Seoul City Hall). Lee Min-hwa (Hwacheon KSPO) and Kim Min-ji (Seoul City Hall), both named to the league’s Best XI, have also secured spots on the national team.
Eight players based overseas have been called up: Jeong Min-young and Choo Hyo-joo (Ottawa Rapid FC), Kang Chae-rim (Montreal Rose FC), Casey Eugene Fair (Angel City FC), Shin Na-young (Brooklyn FC), Kim Shin-ji (Rangers WFC), Park Soo-jung (AC Milan), and Jeon Yu-kyung (Molde FK).
Since taking the helm in October 2024, coach Shin Sang-woo has focused on building international experience against top European and North American teams while also nurturing new talent. This approach has lowered the team’s average age from 28.9 years during the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup to 26.4 years for the current roster. The strategy paid off last July when the team clinched the EAFF E-1 Championship, their first title in two decades, showcasing a successful blend of experience and youth.
The squad will convene for training at Korea Football Park on the 15th before heading to Australia on the 19th. In Group A of the tournament, South Korea will face Iran in their opener on March 2, followed by matches against the Philippines on March 5 and hosts Australia on March 8.
The Asian Cup will feature 12 teams divided into three groups. The top two teams from each group, along with the two best third-placed teams, will advance to the quarterfinals. The four semifinalists, plus two teams emerging victorious from playoffs among the quarterfinal losers, will secure spots in the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil. Teams falling short in the playoffs will have another shot at qualification through intercontinental tournaments.
In a move to enhance player comfort and performance, the association has announced that starting this year, all players will be provided business class seats for long-haul flights to FIFA World Cup finals, AFC official tournaments, Asian Games, and Olympic finals.
The association is committed to fostering national pride and peak performance. To this end, they are establishing a sustainable support system and maintaining open lines of communication with the players.
◆ 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup Roster (26 players)
GK: Kim Min-jung (Incheon Hyundai Steel), Ryu Ji-soo (Sejong Sports Toto), Woo Seo-bin (Seoul City Hall)
DF: Shin Na-young (Brooklyn FC, USA), Choo Hyo-joo (Ottawa Rapid FC, Canada), Ko Yu-jin (Incheon Hyundai Steel), Kim Jin-hee, Jang Seul-ki (both from Gyeongju Hansuwon), Kim Hye-ri (Suwon FC Women), Noh Jin-young (Mungyeong Sangmu), Lee Min-hwa (Hwacheon KSPO)
MF: Kang Chae-rim (Montreal Rose FC, Canada), Kim Shin-ji (Rangers WFC, Scotland), Park Soo-jung (AC Milan, Italy), Jeong Min-young (Ottawa Rapid FC, Canada), Kim Min-ji (Seoul City Hall), Moon Eun-joo (Hwacheon KSPO), Park Hye-jung (Incheon Hyundai Steel), Ji So-yeon, Choi Yu-ri (both from Suwon FC Women), Song Jae-eun, Lee Eun-young (both from Gangjin Women’s Football Team)
FW: Casey Eugene Fair (Angel City FC, USA), Jeon Yu-kyung (Molde FK, Norway), Son Hwa-yeon (Gangjin Women’s Football Team), Choi Yu-jeong (Hwacheon KSPO)
[Sports Today, Reporter Shin Seo-young sports@stoo.com]
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