Korea Republic
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Korea Republic
The highly experienced Korea Republic team will be looking for redemption in 2026 after finishing runners up in 2022. The ‘Taegeuk Ladies’ are currently ranked 5th in Asia (19th in the world), are known for their technical skills, disciplined defending, and quick counter-attacks and have added motivation to win their inaugural AFC Women’s Asian Cup™.
In 2022 the team fell agonisingly short after leading the Final 2-0 at half time, but an inspired second half by China PR, which saw 3 goals (including a stoppage time winner) snatched victory away. Should Korea Republic face China in the group or knockout stages it will be sure to one of the matches of tournament.
Korea Republic have had a wealth of talent in a golden generation with many senior members of this team part of the squad that won the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup (2010) and reached the semi-finals of the U-20 Women’s World Cup. Stars such as Ji Soyun and Cho So-Hyun have paved the way for the next generation. Ji Soyun, currently at Seattle Reign FC in the NWSL, was part of the Chelsea team that dominated English & European football lifting 12 trophies and is widely regarded as one of Asia’s best footballers.
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The wealth of experience is shown with Kim Hye-ri (with over 130 internation caps), and Cho So-Hyun (with over 150 international caps) and is also inspiring the next crop playing for Birmingham in the WSL and leading Korea Republic to new heights.
The blend of youth and experience is exciting with young players such as midfielders Shin Ji and Bae Ye-bin, forwards Chun Ga-ram and teenage prodigy Casey Yujun Phair who already has 4 goals in 12 international appearances and made history in 2023 becoming the youngest player ever to appear in a World Cup match at 16 years and 26 days old.
As one of Asia’s emerging forces in women’s football the ‘Taegeuk Ladies’ are highly fancied for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup™ 2026.
