2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup: South Korea’s National Team Rides High with Business Class Support!

The Korea Football Association announced on February 10 that the women’s national soccer team, led by head coach Shin Sang-woo, finalized its roster for the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup. The squad, which includes eight overseas players, will begin training at Korea Football Park on February 15 before departing for Australia on February 19. They will kick off their group stage matches against Iran on March 2. The top six teams in this tournament will earn spots in the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

The South Korean women’s national soccer team has taken a significant step towards improving their treatment, marking the start of their journey to reclaim the top spot in Asia. With the practical support of business class travel for long-haul flights now secured, the team is ready to prove their worth on the field.

On February 10, the Korea Football Association (KFA) unveiled the final 26-player roster for the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup, under the leadership of coach Shin Sang-woo.

The most notable change in this announcement is the improvement in travel conditions for the players. The KFA has decided to provide business class tickets for the entire team for the upcoming tournament in Australia. This decision addresses the statement made by the women’s national team last September, which called for basic rights and improved training environments. It represents a concrete step in establishing a comprehensive support system.

A KFA official stated, “We’ve made it a principle to provide business class travel for all players during long-distance trips for major official tournaments, including the FIFA World Cup, Asian Cup, and Olympics.” The official emphasized their commitment to fostering national pride and maintaining peak performance through a sustainable support system. This resolves the previously contentious issue of travel accommodations, which had sparked debates about preferential treatment compared to the men’s team.

With this enhanced support, Coach Shin’s team has clear objectives: to clinch the Asian Cup trophy and secure a spot in the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil. With the top six teams earning direct World Cup qualification, reaching at least the quarterfinals is crucial.

The Korea Football Association announced on February 10 that the women’s national soccer team, led by head coach Shin Sang-woo, finalized its roster for the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup. The squad, which includes eight overseas players, will begin training at Korea Football Park on February 15 before departing for Australia on February 19. They will kick off their group stage matches against Iran on March 2. The top six teams in this tournament will earn spots in the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Coach Shin has incorporated his ongoing generational transition into this roster. While centering the team around “living legend” Ji So-yeon (Suwon FC Women) and captain Kim Hye-ri, he has injected new energy by selecting promising talents from the WK League. The team’s average age has dropped from 28.9 years during the 2023 World Cup to 26.4 years. The overseas contingent includes eight elite players from European and North American leagues, such as Park Soo-jung from AC Milan and Casey Eugene Fair from Angel City FC.

After winning the East Asian Football Federation (EAFF) E-1 Championship last year for the first time in two decades, the team is now setting its sights on a bigger stage. The ability to travel business class for this physically demanding tournament is a significant advantage for the players’ recovery. Fans are eager to see if these improved conditions will translate into enhanced performance on the field.

The national team will assemble on February 15 for final preparations before heading to Australia on February 19. South Korea, placed in Group A alongside Iran, the Philippines, and Australia, will begin its Asian conquest with the group stage opener against Iran on March 2.

The Korea Football Association announced on February 10 that the women’s national soccer team, led by head coach Shin Sang-woo, finalized its roster for the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup. The squad, which includes eight overseas players, will begin training at Korea Football Park on February 15 before departing for Australia on February 19. They will kick off their group stage matches against Iran on March 2. The top six teams in this tournament will earn spots in the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

The Korea Football Association announced on February 10 that the women’s national soccer team, led by head coach Shin Sang-woo, finalized its roster for the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup. The squad, which includes eight overseas players, will begin training at Korea Football Park on February 15 before departing for Australia on February 19. They will kick off their group stage matches against Iran on March 2. The top six teams in this tournament will earn spots in the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup Roster (26 Players)

GK: Kim Min-jeong (Incheon Hyundai Steel), Ryu Ji-soo (Sejong Sportstoto), Woo Seo-bin (Seoul City Hall)

DF: Shin Na-young (Brooklyn FC, USA), Choo Hyo-joo (Ottawa Lafferty FC, Canada), Ko Yu-jin (Incheon Hyundai Steel), Kim Jin-hee, Jang Seul-ki (both Gyeongju Hansuwon), Kim Hye-ri (Suwon FC Women), Noh Jin-young (Mungyeong Sangmu), Lee Min-hwa (Hwacheon KSPO)

MF: Kang Chae-rim (Montreal Roses FC, Canada), Kim Shin-ji (Rangers WFC, Scotland), Park Soo-jung (AC Milan, Italy), Jung Min-young (Ottawa Lafferty 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 Suwon FC Women), Song Jae-eun, Lee Eun-young (both 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-jung (Hwacheon KSPO)