Seoul: The host country South Korea finalized their men's and women's squads for the upcoming East Asian football tournament on Monday. The Korea Football Association (KFA) unveiled the men's and women's teams, each featuring 23 players, for the July 7-16 East Asian Football Federation (EAFF) E-1 Football Championship.
According to Yonhap News Agency, with the tournament not part of the official FIFA international match calendar, the KFA opted for players based mostly in the domestic or other Asian leagues, excluding Europe-based stars for the men's team. However, eight players from Europe or North America have been included in the women's team after securing their clubs' permission.
The men's team, coached by Hong Myung-bo, comprises 23 players from the K League and three from Japan's J. League. Notably, seven players have earned their first international call-ups, while Na Sang-ho of Japanese club FC Machida Zelvia returns to the national team for the first time since June 2023. The squad also includes key players from South Korea's successful World Cup qualifying campaign, such as Ulsan HD FC goalkeeper Jo Hyeon-woo, FC Seoul defender Kim Joo-sung, and Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors midfielder Jeon Jin-woo.
South Korea's men's team will begin their tournament against China at 8 p.m. on July 7, followed by matches against Hong Kong on July 11 and Japan on July 15. All men's matches will take place at Yongin Mireu Stadium, located 40 kilometers south of Seoul. The South Korean men's team has previously won the EAFF titles in 2003, 2008, 2015, 2017, and 2019.
The women's team, led by coach Shin Sang-woo, is highlighted by the presence of Ji So-yun, South Korea's all-time leading scorer with 72 goals in 166 matches, currently playing for Seattle Reign FC. Also returning is 17-year-old forward Casey Yujin Phair of Angel City FC, who has already earned 15 caps. The roster includes Birmingham City Women FC teammates Lee Geum-min and Choe Yu-ri, along with Kim Shin-ji of AS Roma Women.
The South Korean women's team will start their competition against China at Suwon World Cup Stadium on July 9. Subsequent matches include Japan at Hwaseong Stadium on July 13 and Chinese Taipei at Suwon on July 16. South Korea's women's team clinched their only EAFF title in 2005.