WK League News

South Korea manager Shin Sangwoo yesterday named his squad for the upcoming FIFA Series, an invitational tournament, in which the team will take on Brazil, Canada, and Zambia next month. There are some new faces in the squad, with eight changes when compared with Shin’s Asian Cup squad. Several national team regulars are unavailable due to club commitments, making way for a group of younger and uncapped players to gain international experience at this friendly tournament.

The FIFA series is a biennial tournament established by FIFA in 2024 with the aim of creating opportunities for national teams from different confederations to play against each other. The 2024 FIFA Series featured only men’s teams and served as a pilot scheme ahead of this year’s expanded tournament, which includes more men’s teams as well as a women’s tournament.

The South Korean team will travel to Cuiabá, Brazil, in early April, with their first match against the hosts set to kick off on 11 April at 21:30 local time (12 April, 09:30 KST). They play Canada at 15:00 on 14 April (15 April 03:00 KST) and Zambia at the same time on 18 April (19 April 03:00 KST).

With the WK League beginning this Saturday and continuing through the April FIFA window, the season’s start already having been delayed by the Asian Cup, some of South Korea’s most reliable regulars are unavailable for the FIFA Series due to club commitments. Notably absent from the squad are Kim Minjung, Ko Yoojin, Kim Hyeri, Ji Soyun, Jang Selgi, Choe Yuri, Moon Eunju, Choi Yoojung, all WK League players who played a role in South Korea’s Asian Cup campaign.

Called up to replace them are several new faces. Kang Jiyeon (Gangjin Swans), Jung Yoojin (Gyeongju KHNP), Kim Minseo (Incheon Hyundai), Seo Yejin (Suwon FC), and Choi Mina (Hwacheon KSPO) have all received their first senior call-up for South Korea. Additionally, Jo Mina (Sejong Sportstoto) returns to the squad for the first time since last year’s Pink Ladies Cup, and Kang Jiwoo (Incheon Hyundai) features in a South Korea squad for the first time in six years, having previously made one appearance for the senior team in the qualifying tournament for the 2020 Olympics.

Korea Republic squad: 2026 FIFA Series

Goalkeepers: Kang Jiyeon (Gangjin Swans); Ryu Jisoo (Sejong Sportstoto); Woo Seobin (Seoul City)

Defenders: Shin Nayoung (Brooklyn FC); Choo Hyojoo (Ottawa Rapid); Kim Minseo (Incheon Hyundai); Kim Jinhui (Gyeongju KHNP); Noh Jinyoung (Mungyeong Sangmu); Seo Yejin (Suwon FC); Jo Mina (Sejong Sportstoto); Lee Minhwa, Choi Mina (Hwacheon KSPO)

Midfielders: Kang Chaerim (Montreal Roses); Kim Shinji (Rangers); Park Soojeong (AC Milan); Jung Minyoung (Ottawa Rapid); Lee Eunyoung (Molde FK); Kim Minji (Seoul City); Park Hyejeong (Incheon Hyundai); Jung Yoojin (Gyeongju KHNP); Son Hwayeon, Song Jae-eun (Gangjin Swans)

Forwards: Kang Jiwwoo (Incheon Hyundai); Casey Yujin Phair (Angel City FC); Jeon Yugyeong (Molde FK)