Suwon FC and South Korea defender Kim Hyeri has been nominated for Women’s Player of the Year at this year’s AFC Awards. This is the second time Kim has been shortlisted for the accolade, which is yet to be won by a South Korean player.
Announcing the nominations, the AFC summarised Kim’s achievements over the past year at both club and international level, describing her as a “stalwart”:
After leading Wuhan Jiangda Women’s FC through the Group Stage of the AFC Women’s Champions League 2025/26, the 36-year-old moved to Suwon FC Women and helped them to a Semi-final finish. Kim has reached the championship final of the 2026 league season with Suwon, while the versatile defender also starred for the Taegeuk Ladies in their journey to the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026 Semi-finals.
Also nominated for Women’s Player of the Year are Kim Kyungyong of North Korea’s Naegohyang WFC, and Holly McNamara, who previously played for Melbourne City before transferring to English club Everton in the summer.
South Korea U-20 coach Park Younjeong is also among the 2026 nominees, receiving a nod for Women’s Coach of the Year. Park won the award in 2023.
The 2026 AFC Awards ceremony will take place in Bangkok on Thursday 19th November.
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