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6h ago

K League Ends 26-Year Ban on Foreign Goalkeepers for 2026 Season

Officials said the decision follows the league’s growth to 26 clubs alongside mounting concerns over domestic goalkeeper quality

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Members of the board of directors for the Korea Professional Football League (K League) hold their third meeting of the year at the league headquarters in Seoul on June 19, 2025, in this photo provided by the K League. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
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Overview

  • The K League board approved lifting the ban during its June 19 meeting, enabling teams to sign overseas goalkeepers beginning with the 2026 season.
  • When introduced in 1999, the ban aimed to safeguard domestic talent in a league of just ten professional clubs.
  • Roster expansions to 12 top-flight and 14 second-tier teams fuelled concerns over domestic keeper shortages and skewed wage growth.
  • The change aligns the K League with other top Asian competitions, including Japan’s J1 League, Saudi Pro League and Chinese Super League.
  • In the same meeting, the league dismissed FC Anyang’s appeal of a 10 million-won fine imposed on owner Choi Dae-ho for publicly criticizing officiating.