South Korea lifts 26-year ban on foreign goalkeepers in the K League

Ulsan HD's Jo Hyeon-woo blocks a shot during the Club World Cup group F soccer match between Ulsan HD and Mamelodi Sundowns in Orlando, Tuesday, June 17, 2025. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

SEOUL, South Korea — A 26-year ban on foreign goalkeepers in South Korea’s top soccer league has been lifted for the start of the 2026 season.

Only Korean goalkeepers have been allowed to play in the K League, the oldest professional domestic league in Asia, since 1999. The rule was introduced in a bid to protect homegrown talent when there were only 10 professional clubs.

The K League announced after a board meeting in Seoul this week that because there’s now 26 professional clubs in the top two tiers of competition, there’s enough room for international goalkeepers.

“The increase in the number of clubs means that there are enough opportunities for domestic goalkeepers to play even if foreign goalkeepers are allowed,” the board said in a statement. “We considered the fact that with foreign player registrations restricted, the salary increase rate of domestic goalkeepers has increased disproportionately to outfield players.”

There were reportedly concerns, due to the increased size of modern rosters which contain three or four goalkeepers, that there’s a shortage of quality keepers in the country.

The move will put the K League in line with other major Asian leagues in Japan, Saudi Arabia and China.

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The Associated Press