WK League News

Manager Shin Sang-woo today (17th November) announced his 26-strong squad for an upcoming trip to Europe in which the South Korea women’s national team will play two friendlies. The team will face the Netherlands on 2nd December (3rd December in Korea), and the other opponent is yet to be confirmed.

The national team’s most recent outing was at the EAFF E-1 Championship in July, where the Korean team lifted the trophy for the first time in twenty years in front of a delighted home crowd. The upcoming friendlies are an important part of Korea’s preparation for the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup, which kicks off in Australia next March. As manager Shin looks to refine his squad ahead of the tournament, there aren’t many surprises in the list of names announced today.

28-year-old Suwon FC midfielder Song Jae-eun is the only player to receive a first international call-up in this squad. Her inclusion shows that even as the national team undergoes a generational shift, with an increasing number of youngsters playing for European clubs, Shin Sang-woo is still keeping a keen eye on the domestic league for talent and experience that could make a positive difference for Korea.

There are returns to the squad for Brooklyn FC defender Shin Nayoung, who played against Colombia last year but was not called upon for the EAFF E-1 Championship, and Hwacheon KSPO number 10 Choi Yoojung, who most recently donned the Korea uniform in a pair of away friendlies against Australia in April. National team veteran striker Son Hwayeon is named in the Korea squad for the first time since early 2024, and the first time since Shin Sang-woo was appointed manager.

Among Korea’s core squad members, the spotlight is on Lee Geummin, who is due to make her 100th senior international appearance. The Birmingham City midfielder currently has 99 caps for Korea, and all being well, will soon become the ninth Korean woman to join the ‘century club’. If she plays in both matches Lee will be equal with Jeon Ga-eul’s 101 appearances, although she has a long way to go to catch up to Birmingham teammate Ji So-yun’s 169. Ji is currently Korea’s most-capped footballer (among both male and female players) and is set to extend her record in Europe this winter.

Korea Women’s National Football Team (December 2025)

Goalkeepers: Kim Minjung (Incheon Hyundai Steel), Ryu Jisoo (Sejong Sportstoto), Woo Seobin (Seoul City Amazones)
Defenders: Ko Yoojin (Incheon Hyundai Steel), Kim Miyeon (Seoul City Amazones), Kim Hyeri (Wuhan Jiangda), Kim Jinhui (Gyeongju KHNP), Noh Jinyoung (Mungyeong Sangmu), Lee Minhwa (Hwacheon KSPO), Jang Selgi (Gyeongju KHNP), Choo Hyojoo (Ottawa Rapid), Shin Nayoung (Brooklyn FC)
Midfielders: Kang Chaerim (Montreal Rose), Kim Minji (Seoul City Amazones), Kim Shinji (Rangers), Park Soojeong (AC Milan), Lee Eunyoung (Changnyeong WFC), Lee Geummin (Birmingham City), Song Jae-eun (Suwon FC), Ji Soyun (Birmingham City), Jung Minyoung (Seoul City Amazones), Choe Yuri (Incheon Hyundai Steel)
Forwards: Choi Yoojung (Hwacheon KSPO), Jeon Yukyeong (Molde FK), Son Hwayeon (AIK Fotboll), Casey Yujin Phair (Angel City FC)