South Korea national under-23 football team
National football team in South Korea
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The South Korea national under-23 football team (Korean: 대한민국 23세 이하 축구 국가대표팀; recognized as Korea Republic by FIFA, and Republic of Korea by IOC) represents South Korea at football in the Olympic Games and Asian Games. It was founded when the Olympic football was changed to an under-23 competition. It also can be managed as an under-21 or under-22 team if necessary.
Nickname(s)Taegeuk Warriors
Tigers of Asia
Tigers of Asia
AssociationKorea Football Association (KFA)
ConfederationAFC (Asia)
| |||
| Nickname(s) | Taegeuk Warriors Tigers of Asia | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Association | Korea Football Association (KFA) | ||
| Confederation | AFC (Asia) | ||
| Sub-confederation | EAFF (East Asia) | ||
| Head coach | Lee Min-sung | ||
| Most caps | Lee Ki-hyung (48) | ||
| Top scorer | Choi Yong-soo (25) | ||
| FIFA code | KOR | ||
| |||
| First international | |||
 South Korea 5–0 Indonesia  (Masan, South Korea; 24 March 1991)[1] | |||
| Biggest win | |||
South Korea 10–0 Philippines  (Seoul, South Korea; 18 May 1991)  South Korea 10–0 Philippines  (Yangon, Myanmar; 30 June 2012) South Korea 10–0 Macau  (Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; 19 July 2017) | |||
| Biggest defeat | |||
 Saudi Arabia 4–0 South Korea (Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia; 10 October 2025) | |||
| Olympic Games | |||
| Appearances | 8 (first in 1992) | ||
| Best result |  Bronze medalists (2012) | ||
| Asian Games | |||
| Appearances | 6 (first in 2002) | ||
| Best result |  Gold medalists (2014, 2018, 2022) | ||
| AFC U-23 Asian Cup | |||
| Appearances | 7 (first in 2013) | ||
| Best result | Champions (2020) | ||
History
London Generation
Under manager Hong Myung-bo, the South Korean under-23 team participated at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. In the group stage, South Korea qualified for the quarter-finals as runners-up of their group by beating Switzerland 2–1 and drawing with Mexico and Gabon in two goalless matches. In the quarter-finals, South Korea met hosts Great Britain. South Korean forward Ji Dong-won scored the opening goal, but British midfielder Aaron Ramsey scored a penalty equaliser. Ramsey once again had a penalty chance four minutes after his penalty goal, but South Korea's over-aged goalkeeper Jung Sung-ryong blocked it.[2] However, Jung was injured in a collision with Micah Richards in the middle of the second half, and was replaced by Lee Bum-young. Nevertheless, Lee did not concede a goal until the end of extra time, and made a save from the shot of Britain's fifth kicker Daniel Sturridge in the penalty shoot-out. South Korea beat Great Britain 5–4 on penalties and Lee was praised by finishing the game successfully, but the compliments turned to criticisms after the semi-finals. He conceded three goals against Brazil, failing to perform his role.[3] After being eliminated by a 3–0 loss to Brazil, South Korea competed with their historical rival Japan for a bronze medal. Their over-aged striker Park Chu-young scored the opening goal with a solo effort against three Japanese defenders, and Koo Ja-cheol scored an additional goal, a decisive one for the victory. South Korea won their first-ever medal in Olympic football after defeating Japan 2–0, and the medalists were exempted from mandatory military service according to the laws of the country. They were called the "London Generation" in South Korea, and most of them played for the senior team in the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, where they were eliminated after finishing last in their group.[4]
Recent results and fixtures
The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.[5]
Win Draw Loss Fixture
2025
| 5 June Friendly | South Korea | 0–0 |  Australia | Yongin, South Korea |
| 19:00 UTC+9 | Report | Stadium: Yongin Mireu Stadium Attendance: 2,135 Referee: Kim Woo-sung (South Korea) |
| 9 June Friendly | South Korea | 0–2 | Australia | Siheung, South Korea |
| 13:00 UTC+9 | Report | Garang Kuol  6' Alessandro Lopane 21' |
Stadium: Jeongwang Stadium Attendance: 0 |
| 3 September 2026 AFC U-23 Asian Cup qualification | South Korea | 5–0 | Macau | Sidoarjo, Indonesia |
| 15:30 UTC+7 | Jeong Jae-sang 14', 49' (pen.) Park Seung-ho 45+4' Kang Seong-jin 58' Seo Jae-min 88' |
Report | Stadium: Gelora Delta Stadium Attendance: 106 |
| 6 September 2026 AFC U-23 Asian Cup qualification | Laos  | 0–7 | South Korea | Sidoarjo, Indonesia |
| 15:30 UTC+7 | Report | Jung Ji-hun 44' Lee Kyu-dong 45+4' Cho Sang-hyeok 49', 60', 90+2' Park Seung-ho 69' (pen.) Hwang Do-yun 70' |
Stadium: Gelora Delta Stadium Attendance: 249 |
| 9 September 2026 AFC U-23 Asian Cup qualification | South Korea | 1–0 | Indonesia | Sidoarjo, Indonesia |
| 19:30 UTC+7 | Hwang Do-yun 6' |
Report | Stadium: Gelora Delta Stadium |
| 10 October Friendly | Saudi Arabia | 4–0 | South Korea | Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia |
| 16:30 UTC+3 | Al Aliwa A. S. 40', 61' Al Julaydan A. 49' Al Subiani F. 64' |
Report | Stadium: Prince Abdullah bin Jalawi Stadium |
| 14 October Friendly | Saudi Arabia | 2–0 | South Korea | Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia |
| 16:30 UTC+3 | Al Nemer M. 45' (pen.) Abdullah M. 79' (pen.) |
Report | Stadium: Prince Abdullah bin Jalawi Stadium |
| 12 November 2025 Panda Cup | South Korea | 2–0 |  Uzbekistan | Chengdu, China |
| 15:30 UTC+8 | Jung Seung-bae 56' Kim Myung-jun 88' |
Report | Stadium: Shuangliu Sports Centre |
| 15 November 2025 Panda Cup | China  | 2–0 | South Korea | Chengdu, China |
| 19:35 UTC+8 | Behram Abduweli 71', 81' |
Report | Stadium: Shuangliu Sports Centre Attendance: 10,089 Referee: Tang Shunqi (China) |
| 18 November 2025 Panda Cup | Vietnam  | 0–1 | South Korea | Chengdu, China |
| 15:30 UTC+8 | Report | Kim Myung-jun 34' |
Stadium: Shuangliu Sports Centre |
2026
| 7 January 2026 AFC U-23 Asian Cup GS | South Korea | 0–0 |  Iran | Riyadh, Saudi Arabia |
| 14:30 UTC+3 | Report | Stadium: Al-Shabab Club Stadium Attendance: 127 Referee: Ammar Mahfoodh (Bahrain) |
| 10 January 2026 AFC U-23 Asian Cup GS | Lebanon  | 2–4 | South Korea | Riyadh, Saudi Arabia |
| 14:30 UTC+3 |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Al-Shabab Club Stadium Attendance: 588 Referee: Abdulla Al-Marri (Qatar) |
| 13 January 2026 AFC U-23 Asian Cup GS | Uzbekistan | 2–0 | South Korea | Riyadh, Saudi Arabia |
| 14:30 UTC+3 |
|
Report | Stadium: Prince Faisal bin Fahd Sports City Stadium Attendance: 139 Referee: Qasim Al-Hatmi (Oman) |
| 17 January 2026 AFC U-23 Asian Cup QF | Australia | 1–2 | South Korea | Jeddah, Saudi Arabia |
| 18:30 UTC+3 |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: King Abdullah Sports City Hall Stadium Attendance: 172 Referee: Fu Ming (China) |
| 20 January 2026 AFC U-23 Asian Cup SF | Japan  | 1–0 | South Korea | Jeddah, Saudi Arabia |
| 14:30 UTC+3 |
|
Report | Stadium: King Abdullah Sports City Hall Stadium Attendance: 188 Referee: Abdulla Al-Marri (Qatar) |
| 23 January 2026 AFC U-23 Asian Cup 3rd | Vietnam | 2–2 (a.e.t.) (7–6 p) | South Korea | Jeddah, Saudi Arabia |
| 18:00 UTC+3 |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: King Abdullah Sports City Hall Stadium Attendance: 270 Referee: Abdullah Jamali (Kuwait) |
| Penalties | ||||
|
||||
| 29 March Friendly | South Korea | 2–1 | Japan | Cheonan, South Korea |
| Lee Young-jun 34', 49' |
Report | Ishii 77' |
Stadium: Korea Football Park |
| 31 March Friendly | South Korea | 1–4 |  United States | Cheonan, South Korea |
| Park Seung-ho 12' (pen.) |
Report |
|
Stadium: Korea Football Park |
All-time results
Coaching staff
Current personnel
- As of 12 January 2026[8]
| Position | Name |
|---|---|
| Manager | Lee Min-sung |
| Coaches | Yeom Ki-hun Lee Kyung-soo |
| Goalkeeping coach | Yang Yeong-min |
| Fitness coaches | Jung Hyun-gyu |
Manager history
Caretaker manager
| No. | Manager[10] | Year | Pld | W | D | L | Win % | Competition(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kim Sam-rak |
1991–1992 | 30 | 21 | 6 | 3 | 70.00 | 1992 Summer Olympics group stage |
| 2 |  Anatoliy Byshovets |
1994–1996 | 43 | 19 | 14 | 10 | 44.19 | 1996 Summer Olympics group stage |
| 3 | Huh Jung-moo |
1998–2000 | 30 | 25 | 2 | 3 | 83.33 | 2000 Summer Olympics group stage |
| 4 | Park Hang-seo |
2002 | 9 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 77.78 | 2002 Asian Games bronze medal |
| 5 | Kim Ho-kon |
2003–2004 | 31 | 19 | 6 | 6 | 61.29 | 2004 Summer Olympics quarter-finals |
| 6 |  Pim Verbeek |
2006–2007 | 15 | 10 | 2 | 3 | 66.67 | 2006 Asian Games fourth place |
| 7 | Park Sung-hwa |
2007–2008 | 13 | 7 | 5 | 1 | 53.85 | 2008 Summer Olympics group stage |
| 8 | Hong Myung-bo |
2009–2012 | 32 | 19 | 8 | 5 | 59.38 | 2010 Asian Games bronze medal 2012 Summer Olympics bronze medal |
| — | Kim Tae-young[note 1] |
2012 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 80.00 | — |
| — | Chung Jung-yong |
2012 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 50.00 | — |
| 9 | Lee Kwang-jong |
2013–2015 | 22 | 12 | 5 | 5 | 54.55 | 2013 AFC U-22 Championship fourth place 2014 Asian Games gold medal |
| — | Choi Moon-sik[note 2] |
2015 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 66.67 | — |
| 10 | Shin Tae-yong |
2015–2016 | 30 | 18 | 9 | 3 | 60.00 | 2016 AFC U-23 Championship runner-up 2016 Summer Olympics quarter-finals |
| — | Chung Jung-yong |
2017 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 66.67 | — |
| 11 | Kim Bong-gil |
2017–2018 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 50.00 | 2018 AFC U-23 Championship fourth place |
| 12 | Kim Hak-bum |
2018–2021 | 33 | 22 | 5 | 6 | 66.67 | 2018 Asian Games gold medal 2020 AFC U-23 Championship champion 2020 Summer Olympics quarter-finals |
| 13 | Hwang Sun-hong |
2021–2024 | 31 | 23 | 3 | 5 | 74.19 | 2022 AFC U-23 Asian Cup quarter-finals 2022 Asian Games gold medal 2024 AFC U-23 Asian Cup quarter-finals |
| — | Myung Jae-yong |
2024 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 66.67 | 2024 WAFF U-23 Championship champion |
| — | Choi Jae-young |
2024 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 20.00 | — |
| — | Lee Chang-hyun |
2025 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 33.33 | — |
| 14 | Lee Min-sung |
2025–present | 18 | 8 | 3 | 7 | 44.44 | 2026 AFC U-23 Asian Cup fourth place |
| Total | 367 | 226 | 77 | 64 | 61.58 | — | ||
Players
Current U23 squad
The following players were called up for the Cheonan Korea Football Park training camp in March 2026.[12][13]
| No. | Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Club | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GK | Lee Seung-hwan | 5 April 2003 | Pohang Steelers | |||
| GK | Kim Jun-hong | 3 June 2003 | Suwon Samsung Bluewings | |||
| GK | Han Tae-hee | 5 July 2004 | Daegu FC | |||
| DF | Choi Seok-hyeon | 13 January 2003 | Ulsan HD | |||
| DF | Park Seong-hoon | 27 January 2003 | FC Seoul | |||
| DF | Kang Min-jun | 8 April 2003 | Pohang Steelers | |||
| DF | Lee Hyun-yong | 29 December 2003 | Suwon FC | |||
| DF | Park Gyeong-seop | 2 July 2004 | Incheon United | |||
| DF | Choi Woo-jin | 18 July 2004 | Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors | |||
| DF | Kim Ji-soo | 24 December 2004 |  1. FC Kaiserslautern | |||
| DF | Bae Hyun-seo | 16 February 2005 | Gyeongnam FC | |||
| DF | Shin Min-ha | 15 September 2005 | Gangwon FC | |||
| MF | Lee Hyun-ju | 7 February 2003 |  Arouca | |||
| MF | Hwang Do-yun | 9 April 2003 | FC Seoul | |||
| MF | Park Seung-ho | 1 September 2003 | Incheon United | |||
| MF | Seo Jae-min | 16 September 2003 | Incheon United | |||
| MF | Cho Joon-hyun | 4 February 2004 | Seoul E-Land | |||
| MF | Kang Sang-yoon | 31 May 2004 | Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors | |||
| MF | Kim Min-su | 19 January 2006 |  Andorra[note 3] | |||
| MF | Yang Min-hyeok | 16 April 2006 |  Coventry City | |||
| MF | Yoon Do-young | 28 October 2006 | FC Dordrecht | |||
| MF | Park Seung-soo | 17 March 2007 | Newcastle United U21 | |||
| MF | Son Jeong-beom | 28 September 2007 | FC Seoul | |||
| MF | Lee Young-jun | 23 May 2003 |  Grasshoppers | |||
| MF | Kim Myung-jun | 21 March 2006 |  Jong Genk | |||
Current U21 squad
The following players were called up for the Namhae Sports Park training camp in March 2026.[14][15]
| No. | Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Club | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GK | Lee Sang-hyeon | 19 July 2006 | Incheon United | |||
| GK | Hong Seong-min | 29 September 2006 | Pohang Steelers | |||
| GK | Yun Ki-wook | 10 October 2006 | FC Seoul | |||
| DF | Kim Seo-jin | 7 January 2005 | Gimcheon Sangmu | |||
| DF | Lee Ye-chan | 23 May 2005 | Bucheon FC 1995 | |||
| DF | Jang Ha-yun | 30 June 2005 | Kyung Hee University | |||
| DF | Choi Seung-gu | 28 September 2005 | Incheon United | |||
| DF | Kim Ho-jin | 29 September 2005 | Pohang Steelers | |||
| DF | Jo In-jung | 8 November 2005 | Jeju SK | |||
| DF | Um Jun-hyeok | 28 December 2005 | Dankook University | |||
| DF | Lee Tak-ho | 14 February 2006 | Chung-Ang University | |||
| DF | Seo Jeong-hyeok | 9 March 2006 | Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors | |||
| MF | Sung Shin | 13 January 2005 | Bucheon FC 1995 | |||
| MF | Chung Ma-ho | 14 January 2005 | Gimcheon Sangmu | |||
| MF | Kang Seung-ho | 7 April 2005 | Honam University | |||
| MF | Choi Byeong-wook | 11 April 2005 | Jeju SK | |||
| MF | Hwang Tae-hwan | 23 July 2005 | Sangji University | |||
| MF | Sung Ye-geon | 30 October 2005 | Hannam University | |||
| MF | Kim Jun-ha | 2 December 2005 | Jeju SK | |||
| MF | Jin Tae-ho | 20 January 2006 | Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors | |||
| MF | Baek Seung-won | 15 February 2006 | Pohang Steelers | |||
| MF | Baek In-woo | 29 November 2006 | Ulsan HD | |||
| FW | Baek Min-gyu | 20 November 2005 | Incheon United | |||
| FW | Eo Dam | 23 March 2006 | Bucheon FC 1995 | |||
Recent call-ups
The following players have also been called up to a South Korea under-23 squad within the last 12 months.
| Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club | Latest call-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GK | Hwang Jae-yun | 18 March 2003 | Seoul E-Land |
2026 AFC U-23 Asian Cup | ||
| GK | Moon Hyun-ho | 13 May 2003 | Gimcheon Sangmu |
2026 AFC U-23 Asian Cup | ||
| GK | Kim Dong-hwa | 7 May 2003 | Gwangju FC |
v. Saudi Arabia, 14 October 2025 | ||
| GK | Jeon Ji-wan | 14 May 2004 | Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors |
v. Indonesia, 9 September 2025 | ||
| DF | Park Jun-seo | 26 April 2004 | Hwaseong FC |
2026 AFC U-23 Asian Cup | ||
| DF | Kim Do-hyun | 12 May 2004 | Gangwon FC |
2026 AFC U-23 Asian Cup | ||
| DF | Jang Seok-hwan | 11 October 2004 | Suwon Samsung Bluewings |
2026 AFC U-23 Asian Cup | ||
| DF | Jo Hyun-tae | 27 October 2004 | Gangwon FC |
2026 AFC U-23 Asian Cup | ||
| DF | Lee Geon-hee | 11 March 2005 | Suwon Samsung Bluewings |
2026 AFC U-23 Asian Cup | ||
| DF | Choi Ye-hoon | 19 August 2003 | Busan IPark |
v. Saudi Arabia, 14 October 2025 | ||
| DF | Kang Min-woo | 2 March 2006 | Jong Genk |
v. Saudi Arabia, 14 October 2025 | ||
| DF | Han Hyeon-seo | 2 January 2004 | Pohang Steelers |
v. Indonesia, 9 September 2025 | ||
| DF | Jeong Kang-min | 18 December 2004 | Jeonnam Dragons |
v. Indonesia, 9 September 2025 | ||
| DF | Lee Jun-jae | 14 July 2003 | Suwon Samsung Bluewings |
Gyeongju training camp, June-July 2025 | ||
| DF | Choi Hyun-woung | 9 October 2003 | Chungnam Asan |
Gyeongju training camp, June-July 2025 | ||
| DF | Park Chang-woo | 1 March 2003 | Cheonan City |
v. Australia, 9 June 2025 | ||
| DF | Lee Won-woo | 16 March 2003 | Daegu FC |
v. Australia, 9 June 2025 | ||
| DF | Hwang In-taek | 1 April 2003 | Daegu FC |
v. Australia, 9 June 2025 | ||
| DF | Jo Jin-ho | 10 July 2003 |  Konyaspor |
v. Australia, 9 June 2025 | ||
| MF | Lee Chan-ouk | 3 February 2003 | Gimcheon Sangmu |
2026 AFC U-23 Asian Cup | ||
| MF | Kim Han-seo | 14 February 2003 | Yongin FC |
2026 AFC U-23 Asian Cup | ||
| MF | Kim Yong-hak | 20 May 2003 | Pohang Steelers |
2026 AFC U-23 Asian Cup | ||
| MF | Kim Dong-jin | 30 July 2003 | Pohang Steelers |
2026 AFC U-23 Asian Cup | ||
| MF | Park Hyun-bin | 19 May 2003 | Suwon Samsung Bluewings |
Cheonan training camp, December 2025 INJ | ||
| MF | Baek Ji-ung | 29 August 2004 | Seoul E-Land |
Cheonan training camp, December 2025 | ||
| MF | Lee Seung-won | 6 March 2003 | Gangwon FC |
v. Saudi Arabia, 14 October 2025 | ||
| MF | Bae Jun-ho | 21 August 2003 | Stoke City |
v. Saudi Arabia, 14 October 2025 INJ | ||
| MF | Kim Ju-chan | 29 March 2004 | Gimcheon Sangmu |
v. Saudi Arabia, 14 October 2025 | ||
| MF | Chae Hyun-woo | 19 August 2004 | FC Anyang |
v. Indonesia, 9 September 2025 | ||
| MF | Lee Jun-gyu | 4 August 2003 | Gimhae FC 2008 |
Gyeongju training camp, June-July 2025 | ||
| MF | Moon Geon-ho | 16 June 2004 | Hwaseong FC |
Gyeongju training camp, June-July 2025 | ||
| MF | Kim Jeong-hyeon | 29 June 2004 | Chungnam Asan |
Gyeongju training camp, June-July 2025 | ||
| MF | Yoon Jae-seok | 22 October 2003 | Gimcheon Sangmu |
v. Australia, 9 June 2025 | ||
| MF | Moon Min-seo | 18 February 2004 | Gwangju FC |
v. Australia, 9 June 2025 | ||
| MF | Lee Seung-joon | 11 August 2004 | Yongin FC |
v. Australia, 9 June 2025 | ||
| FW | Kang Seong-jin | 26 March 2003 | Suwon Samsung Bluewings |
2026 AFC U-23 Asian Cup | ||
| FW | Jung Seung-bae | 9 November 2003 | Suwon FC |
2026 AFC U-23 Asian Cup | ||
| FW | Jung Ji-hun | 9 April 2004 | Gwangju FC |
2026 AFC U-23 Asian Cup | ||
| FW | Jeong Jae-sang | 25 May 2004 | Ulsan HD |
2026 AFC U-23 Asian Cup | ||
| FW | Kim Tae-won | 11 March 2005 | Kataller Toyama |
2026 AFC U-23 Asian Cup | ||
| FW | Baek Ga-on | 23 January 2006 | Busan IPark |
2026 AFC U-23 Asian Cup | ||
| FW | Cho Sang-hyeok | 23 January 2004 | Pohang Steelers |
v. Saudi Arabia, 14 October 2025 | ||
| FW | Lee Kyu-dong | 24 January 2004 | Yongin FC |
v. Indonesia, 9 September 2025 | ||
| FW | Bae Seo-joon | 11 December 2003 | Seoul E-Land |
Gyeongju training camp, June-July 2025 | ||
INJ Withdrew due to injury. | ||||||
Overage players
Football at the Summer Olympics and the Asian Games have required that under-23 players enter the competitions, but they have allowed three overage players can be included in one squad. These three players are called the "Wild cards" in South Korea.[16] According to South Korean laws, Olympic medalists and Asian Games gold medalists can be exempted from the military service, and so top-level players also compete for wild cards.[17]
| Olympics | Player 1 | Player 2 | Player 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lee Lim-saeng (DF)[a] Lee Kyung-chun (DF) |
Ha Seok-ju (MF) | Hwang Sun-hong (FW) | |
| Kang Chul (DF) | Kim Sang-sik (DF) | Kim Do-hoon (FW) | |
| Yoo Sang-chul (MF) | Chung Kyung-ho (FW) | — | |
| Kim Dong-jin (DF) | Kim Jung-woo (MF) | — | |
| Jung Sung-ryong (GK) | Kim Chang-soo (DF) | Park Chu-young (FW) | |
| Jang Hyun-soo (DF) | Suk Hyun-jun (FW) | Son Heung-min (FW) | |
| Park Ji-soo (DF) | Kwon Chang-hoon (MF) | Hwang Ui-jo (FW) | |
| Asian Games | Player 1 | Player 2 | Player 3 |
| Lee Woon-jae (GK) | Kim Young-chul (DF) | Lee Young-pyo (DF) | |
| Kim Dong-jin (DF) | Kim Do-heon (MF) | Lee Chun-soo (FW) | |
| Kim Jung-woo (MF) | Park Chu-young (FW) | — | |
| Kim Seung-gyu (GK) | Park Joo-ho (DF) | Kim Shin-wook (FW) | |
| Jo Hyeon-woo (GK) | Son Heung-min (FW) | Hwang Ui-jo (FW) | |
| Park Jin-seob (DF) | Seol Young-woo (DF) | Paik Seung-ho (MF) |
- Lee Lim-saeng was replaced by reserve player Lee Kyung-chun after the second match due to his injury.
Records
Statistics below are from matches which the KFA consider as official including non-international matches (against clubs, regional teams, and other KFA teams).
Most appearances
- As of 13 August 2016
| Rank | Player | Caps | Goals | Career | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lee Ki-hyung | 48 | 10 | 1994–1996 | [18] |
| 2 | Choi Sung-yong | 44 | 0 | 1994–1996 | [19] |
| 3 | Kim Do-heon | 43 | 3 | 2002–2006 | [20] |
| Kim Dong-jin | 43 | 6 | 2002–2008 | [21] | |
| 5 | Choi Yong-soo | 41 | 25 | 1994–1996 | [22] |
| 6 | Yoon Jong-hwan | 40 | 4 | 1994–1996 | [23] |
| Choi Sung-kuk | 40 | 3 | 2001–2006 | [24] | |
| Kim Jung-woo | 40 | 3 | 2003–2010 | [25] | |
| 9 | Choi Tae-uk | 39 | 14 | 2000–2004 | [26] |
| 10 | Lee Woo-young | 37 | 9 | 1994–1996 | [27] |
| Seo Dong-myung | 37 | 0 | 1994–1996 | [28] |
Top goalscorers
- As of 7 October 2023
| Rank | Player | Goals | Caps | Ratio | Career | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Choi Yong-soo | 25 | 41 | 0.61 | 1994–1996 | [22] |
| 2 | Lee Dong-gook | 20 | 29 | 0.69 | 1999–2002 | [29] |
| 3 | Hwang Ui-jo | 18 | 28 | 0.64 | 2012–2021 | [30] |
| 4 | Moon Chang-jin | 16 | 31 | 0.52 | 2013–2016 | [31] |
| 5 | Cho Young-wook | 14 | 33 | 0.42 | 2017–2023 | [32] |
| Choi Tae-uk | 14 | 39 | 0.36 | 2000–2004 | [26] | |
| 7 | Park Chu-young | 12 | 30 | 0.4 | 2006–2012 | [33] |
| 8 | Jeong Woo-yeong | 11 | 20 | 0.55 | 2019–2023 | [34] |
| Kwon Chang-hoon | 11 | 25 | 0.44 | 2015–2021 | [35] | |
| Cho Jae-jin | 11 | 28 | 0.39 | 2003–2004 | [36] | |
| Lee Chun-soo | 11 | 28 | 0.39 | 1999–2006 | [37] |
Competitive record
Champions Runners-up Third place Tournament played on home soil
Summer Olympics
- Football at the Summer Olympics was a senior tournament until 1988.
| Summer Olympics record | Qualification record[38] | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Round | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | Squad | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | |
| 1948–1988 | Entered with the senior team | Entered with the senior team | |||||||||||||
| 1992 | Group stage | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 2 | Squad | 13 | 10 | 2 | 1 | 36 | 4 | |
| 1996 | Group stage | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | Squad | 9 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 25 | 5 | |
| 2000 | Group stage | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | Squad | 7 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 24 | 2 | |
 2004 | Quarter-finals | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 8 | 8 | Squad | 8 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 0 | |
| 2008 | Group stage | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | Squad | 12 | 8 | 3 | 1 | 14 | 4 | |
 2012 | Bronze medalists | 6 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 5 | Squad | 8 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 12 | 4 | |
 2016 | Quarter-finals | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 12 | 4 | Squad | Via AFC U-23 Asian Cup | ||||||
| 2020 | Quarter-finals | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 13 | 7 | Squad | |||||||
 2024 | Did not qualify | ||||||||||||||
| Total | Bronze medalists | 30 | 11 | 11 | 8 | 46 | 35 | 8/9 | 57 | 44 | 11 | 2 | 123 | 19 | |
AFC U-23 Asian Cup
| AFC U-23 Asian Cup record | Qualification record | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Round | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | Squad | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | |
 2013 | Fourth place | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 8 | 3 | Squad | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 23 | 3 | |
 2016 | Runners-up | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 14 | 6 | Squad | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 0 | |
| 2018 | Fourth place | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 8 | 9 | Squad | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 12 | 1 | |
 2020 | Champions | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 3 | Squad | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 16 | 3 | |
| 2022 | Quarter-finals | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 5 | Squad | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 1 | |
| 2024 | Quarter-finals | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 2 | Squad | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | |
| 2026 | Fourth place | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 8 | 8 | Squad | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 0 | |
| Total | 1 title | 38 | 23 | 8 | 7 | 60 | 36 | 7/7 | 22 | 19 | 3 | 0 | 94 | 8 | |
Asian Games
- Football at the Asian Games was a senior tournament until 1998.
| Asian Games record | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Round | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | Squad |
| 1951–1998 | Entered with the senior team | |||||||
| 2002 | Bronze medalists | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 17 | 2 | Squad |
| 2006 | Fourth place | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 9 | 2 | Squad |
| 2010 | Bronze medalists | 7 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 17 | 6 | Squad |
| 2014 | Gold medalists | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 0 | Squad |
| 2018 | Gold medalists | 7 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 19 | 7 | Squad |
| 2022 | Gold medalists | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 27 | 3 | Squad |
| 2026 | To be determined | |||||||
| 2030 | ||||||||
| 2034 | ||||||||
| Total | 3 titles | 40 | 34 | 1 | 5 | 102 | 20 | 6/6 |
Other competitions
| Competition | Round | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | Squad |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 WAFF U-23 Championship |
Champions | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 2 | Squad |
Head-to-head record
The following table shows South Korea under-23s' head-to-head record against each foreign national team, as of 31 March 2026.[7]
| Opponent | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Win % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Algeria |
2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | +5 | 100.00 |
 Argentina |
1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | +0 | 0.00 |
| Australia |
19 | 12 | 4 | 3 | 30 | 16 | +14 | 63.16 |
 Austria |
1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | +2 | 100.00 |
 Bahrain |
10 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 19 | 1 | +18 | 90.00 |
 Bangladesh |
3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 | +10 | 100.00 |
| Brazil |
4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 11 | −10 | 0.00 |
 Brunei |
1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | +5 | 100.00 |
 Bulgaria |
1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 | +4 | 100.00 |
 Cambodia |
2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 1 | +6 | 100.00 |
 Cameroon |
1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | +0 | 0.00 |
 Canada |
4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 8 | 4 | +4 | 50.00 |
 Chile |
1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | +1 | 100.00 |
| China |
21 | 14 | 3 | 4 | 30 | 12 | +18 | 66.67 |
 Chinese Taipei |
3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 23 | 1 | +22 | 100.00 |
 Colombia |
3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 5 | −1 | 0.00 |
| Colombia U20 |
1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | +1 | 100.00 |
 Costa Rica |
1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | +3 | 100.00 |
 Czech Republic |
1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | +3 | 100.00 |
 Denmark |
4 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 6 | −3 | 0.00 |
| Denmark XI |
1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | +0 | 0.00 |
 Timor-Leste |
3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 0 | +9 | 66.67 |
 Egypt |
2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | +2 | 50.00 |
| England |
1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | +0 | 0.00 |
 Estonia |
1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 | +4 | 100.00 |
 Fiji |
1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 | +8 | 100.00 |
| France |
5 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 5 | +0 | 20.00 |
 Gabon |
1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | +0 | 0.00 |
| Germany |
1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 3 | +0 | 0.00 |
 Ghana |
5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 2 | +7 | 80.00 |
 Great Britain |
1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | +0 | 0.00 |
| Greece |
1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | +0 | 0.00 |
 Guatemala |
1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | +1 | 100.00 |
 Honduras |
5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 11 | 3 | +8 | 60.00 |
| Honduras U20 |
1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | +2 | 100.00 |
 Hong Kong |
5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 18 | 0 | +18 | 100.00 |
| Indonesia |
9 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 27 | 5 | +22 | 88.89 |
| Indonesia U20 |
1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | +1 | 100.00 |
| Iran |
10 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 14 | 8 | +6 | 60.00 |
 Iraq |
7 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 8 | 7 | +1 | 42.86 |
| Iraq A |
1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | +0 | 0.00 |
 Italy |
2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 5 | −4 | 0.00 |
 Ivory Coast |
1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | +1 | 100.00 |
| Ivory Coast U20 |
1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | −1 | 0.00 |
| Japan |
20 | 10 | 4 | 6 | 22 | 22 | +0 | 50.00 |
| Japan U20 |
1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | −1 | 0.00 |
| Japan Universiade |
1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | +3 | 100.00 |
 Jordan |
7 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 12 | 4 | +8 | 57.14 |
 Kazakhstan |
1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | +1 | 100.00 |
 Kuwait |
3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 12 | 2 | +10 | 66.67 |
| Kuwait A |
1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | +1 | 100.00 |
 Kyrgyzstan |
3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 1 | +6 | 100.00 |
| Laos |
2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 0 | +9 | 100.00 |
| Lebanon |
1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | +2 | 100.00 |
 Lesotho |
1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | +2 | 100.00 |
| Macau |
2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 0 | +15 | 100.00 |
 Malaysia |
11 | 8 | 1 | 2 | 23 | 7 | +16 | 72.73 |
| Malaysia A |
2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 2 | +2 | 50.00 |
 Maldives |
1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | +4 | 100.00 |
 Mali |
1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 3 | +0 | 0.00 |
 Mexico |
10 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 9 | 10 | −1 | 30.00 |
 Morocco |
6 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 7 | −4 | 16.67 |
 Myanmar |
3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 0 | +6 | 66.67 |
 Namibia |
1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | +2 | 100.00 |
| Netherlands |
1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | +1 | 100.00 |
 New Zealand |
4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 9 | 5 | +4 | 75.00 |
 Nigeria |
4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 2 | +12 | 100.00 |
 North Korea |
4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 1 | +3 | 50.00 |
 Norway |
1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | +0 | 0.00 |
| Norway A |
1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | +3 | 100.00 |
| Oman |
6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 18 | 3 | +15 | 100.00 |
 Palestine |
1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | +3 | 100.00 |
 Paraguay |
2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | −1 | 0.00 |
| Paraguay XI |
2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 1 | +5 | 50.00 |
| Philippines |
4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 30 | 0 | +30 | 100.00 |
| Qatar |
8 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 6 | −2 | 12.50 |
| Qatar U20 |
1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | +0 | 0.00 |
 Romania |
1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | +4 | 100.00 |
| Russia |
4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 3 | +3 | 50.00 |
| Saudi Arabia |
15 | 8 | 3 | 4 | 15 | 12 | +3 | 53.33 |
 Scotland |
1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | −1 | 0.00 |
 Senegal |
1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | +3 | 100.00 |
 Singapore |
1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 | +4 | 100.00 |
 South Africa |
1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | −1 | 0.00 |
| Spain |
2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 6 | −4 | 0.00 |
 Sri Lanka |
1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | +5 | 100.00 |
 Sweden |
3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 6 | −2 | 33.33 |
| Switzerland |
3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 2 | +4 | 100.00 |
 Syria |
5 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 2 | +4 | 60.00 |
| Thailand |
7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 1 | +14 | 100.00 |
| Thailand A |
2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 | +2 | 50.00 |
 Trinidad and Tobago |
2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | +2 | 50.00 |
 Tunisia |
2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 1 | +6 | 100.00 |
 United Arab Emirates |
11 | 8 | 1 | 2 | 19 | 6 | +13 | 72.73 |
| United States |
6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 8 | 9 | −1 | 50.00 |
| Uzbekistan |
18 | 13 | 2 | 3 | 35 | 20 | +15 | 72.22 |
| Vietnam |
10 | 6 | 4 | 0 | 16 | 7 | +9 | 60.00 |
 Yemen |
3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 1 | +5 | 66.67 |
| Total | 367 | 226 | 77 | 64 | 709 | 281 | +428 | 61.58 |
Honours
Intercontinental
Bronze medalists: 2012
Continental
Regional
Champions: 2024
Friendly competitions
Awards
- AFC National Team of the Year: 2012
- AFC U-23 Asian Cup Fair Play Award: 2013, 2026
See also
Notes
- Managed separate under-21 team in the 2013 AFC U-22 Championship qualification.
- Managed under-22 team as a caretaker in the 2015 King's Cup because former manager Lee Kwang-jong urgently resigned from the team due to his acute leukemia.[11]
- Andorra is a Andorra la Vella club playing in the Spanish football league system.