WK League News

South Korea boss Shin Sangwoo has named the squad that will travel to Guam next week to compete in qualifiers for the 2028 EAFF E-1 Football Championship, also known as the East Asian Cup. South Korea won the 2025 edition of the competition, but have to take part in the qualifying tournament for the 2028 edition because of the side’s relatively low FIFA ranking.

China automatically qualify for the tournament as the host nation, with North Korea and Japan also earning their places in the finals as the highest-ranking nations in the region. South Korea will compete with Chinese Taipei, Guam, Macau, and Northern Mariana Islands in the qualifying tournament, which begins on 3rd June.

South Korea will play against Guam and Macau in the group stage before facing either Chinese Taipei or Northern Mariana Islands in a final on 9th June. Only one team will progress to the main tournament, scheduled for 2028 — if South Korea do qualify, the squad could look very different by the time the East Asian Cup actually comes around.

The streamlined squad of 20 is almost entirely made up of players active in the WK League, with none of South Korea’s overseas stars called up on this occasion. The only member of Shin’s squad not currently playing in the WK League is 20-year-old defender Nam Seungeun, who has spent the last year with WE League side Albirex Niigata, but is currently unaffiliated following the recent expiration of her contract. This is Nam’s first senior call-up.

Also in the squad for the first time are Kim Jiyoon and Kim Jihyun of Sejong Sportstoto, and Yoon Soojung and Han Da-in of Suwon FC. Mungyeong Sangmu’s Park Yena could also make her debut at this tournament, receiving her first call-up since 2022.

The KWFF today announced a WK League schedule change as a result of the East Asian Cup qualifiers. The Round 11 match between Incheon and Hwacheon, originally scheduled for 10th June, will now be played on 11th August. The fixture will also be moved from Incheon’s Namdong Asiad Rugby Field to KSPO’s home ground, Hwacheon Sports Park. The venue of the reverse fixture in Round 25 will also be switched to compensate for this change.

South Korea squad: EAFF E-1 Football Championship qualifiers (June 2026)

Goalkeepers: Kim Kyunghee (Suwon FC); Kim Minjung (Incheon Hyundai)

Defenders: Ko Yoojin, Park Hyejeong (Incheon Hyundai); Kim Jinhee, Jang Selgi (Gyeongju KHNP); Kim Hyeri, Han Da-in (Suwon FC); Park Yena (Mungyeong Sangmu); Lee Minhwa (Hwacheon KSPO); Nam Seungeun

Midfielders: Kim Minji (Seoul City); Kim Jiyoon, Kim Jihyun (Sejong Sportstoto); Son Hwayeon (Gangjin Swans); Yoon Soojung, Ji Soyun (Suwon FC); Jung Yoojin (Gyeongju KHNP)

Forwards: Kang Jiwoo, Jang Yoobin (Incheon Hyundai)