WK League News

South Korea’s U-17 squad have arrived in China ahead of the 2026 AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup, in which twelve teams are competing. Led by manager Lee Dayoung, the 23-strong squad will begin their campaign on Saturday, motivated by their chosen group motto: “all for one, one for all”.

The top two teams in each of three groups will progress, with the two higher-ranking third-placed teams also qualifying for the knockout stage of the competition. South Korea have been drawn in Group C, where they will meet North Korea, Chinese Taipei (Taiwan), and the Philippines.

Lee’s side will first face the Philippines on Saturday (2nd May) afternoon, before meeting Taiwan on Tuesday (5th May). They will clash with defending champions North Korea on 8th May. It’s a tough group for South Korea, who are aiming to reach the semi-finals in order to qualify for the U-17 World Cup, but manager Lee is confident that her players can do enough in their first two matches to secure progression to the knockout competition and relieve pressure on the North Korea game.

The squad is mostly comprised of players born in 2009 and 2010, high schoolers from some of the country’s most prestigious girls’ football academy programmes. A whopping twelve players — just over half the squad — currently play for Ulsan Hyundai High School, and another six are in the football programme at Gyeongnam Robotics High School. Yesung Girls’ High School (Chungju), Pohang Girls’ Electronic High School, and Gwangyang Girls’ High School are also represented.

The youngest player in the squad is Ulsan Chungeun Middle School striker Lim Jihye; South Korea’s opening match at this tournament coincides with Lim’s fifteenth birthday. Lim has made a handful of appearances for the country’s U-14 side, having already made a big impression at U-15 level in domestic competitions. In her first year at UCMS, Lim scored 23 goals, helping her team on their way to winning four trophies. In 2025, the side went one better, winning a clean sweep of all five domestic competitions. On an individual level, Lim didn’t just go one better — she doubled her goal-scoring record, netting 46 across the season, and taking home the top goalscorer trophies at the Spring Championship, National Women’s Football Championship, and Queen’s Cup.

South Korea U-17: 2026 AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup

Goalkeepers: Ki Ppeum (Yesung Girls’ HS); Go Haeun (Gyeongnam Robotics HS); Lee Seunga (Ulsan Hyundai HS)

Defenders: Park Nayoung, Choo Jiyeon, Koo Seyoung, Jeon Ahyun, Kang Kyueun (Ulsan Hyundai HS); Woo Seoyeon, Kang Jiyoon (Gyeongnam Robotics HS), Kim Jieun (Pohang Girls’ Electronic HS)

Midfielders: Choi Se-eun (Gyeongnam Robotics HS); Jang Hanna (Gwangyang Girls’ HS); Go Jieun (Ulsan Hyundai HS); Han Gukhee (Pohang Girls’ Electronic HS)

Forwards: Jang Yejin, Kim Heena, Jo An, Kim Heejin, Kim Minseo (Ulsan Hyundai HS); Kwon Hyori, Baek Seoyoung (Gyeongnam Robotics HS); Lim Jihye (Hyundai Chungeun MS)