South Korean Football League to Reopen Doors to Foreign-Born Goalkeepers

The South Korean football league will lift a 27-year-old ban on foreign-born goalkeepers starting in 2026, according to officials. The Korea Professional Football League (K League) made the decision during its latest board of directors meeting. This change comes as the league has grown, with 12 teams in the top-flight K League 1 and 14 in the K League 2, allowing for ample opportunities for South Korean goalkeepers to compete.

Key Takeaways:

• The Korea Professional Football League (K League) will allow foreign-born goalkeepers to play in the league starting in 2026, ending a 27-year ban that was implemented to give homegrown keepers more opportunities.
• The K League had previously put a cap on the number of matches foreign-born goalkeepers were allowed to play in the mid-1990s, and by 1999, all K League teams were banned from signing foreign goalkeepers.
• The league dismissed an appeal by FC Anyang, who was fined 10 million-won (US$7,300) for their owner Choi Dae-ho's public criticism of officiating during a press conference on May 20.
• The K League stated that there are far more clubs in the league now than in the past, and there should still be jobs available for South Korean goalkeepers.
• The league's decision was made during its third board of directors meeting of the season, held on Thursday.

Statistics:

• 27 years: the length of time the K League has banned foreign-born goalkeepers.
• 12: the number of teams in the top-flight K League 1.
• 14: the number of teams in the K League 2.
• 10 million-won (US$7,300): the fine imposed on FC Anyang for their owner's public criticism of officiating.

Sources:

• (Yonhap News Agency)
• Korea Professional Football League (K League)