Singer Kim Jung-min, second, will eventually play in the World Cup with a Japanese flag…Confirmation of national team selection
Oct 23, 2025
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The Japan Football Association (JFA) officially announced on the 22nd that Kim Do-yoon has been additionally selected for the Japanese U-17 national team. Although he was not listed on the final list, he was dramatically replaced when one striker was dropped out due to injury.
In response, Kim Jung-min wrote in his personal account, "Dad, mom is always supporting you. Show the world all about you. I love you," he said, sending a warm message of support to his son.
Kim Do-yoon succeeded in calling up the Japanese national team for the third time with this selection. In April, he scored seven goals in three U-17 Asian Cup qualifying matches, rapidly emerging as a leading striker for the Japanese national team. In September, he scored the winning goal in the match against Saudi Arabia in the French Limo State friendly to lead the team to a 3-1 victory. In this tournament, Japan, along with Morocco, New Caledonia and Portugal, belonged to Group B.
Japan, which has reached the round of 16 for the last three consecutive times, is aiming to pass the group stage at this World Cup, and local soccer community is paying attention to whether Kim Do-yoon will establish himself as a key striker.
In an interview with a media outlet, Kim Jung-min said, `I have two children's passports. Since birth, my motherland has been two countries. Japan gave it a chance first, but it's not a professional yet, and the choice of nationality has not been decided"You can't go to the adult national team just because you want to go. In the end, it is important to do your best in a team that gives you good opportunities,' he said, respecting his son's choice.
Born in 2008, Kim is a striker with a solid physique of 184 centimeters and 72 kilograms. He grew up in South Korea's FC Seoul youth team (Osan Middle School) and moved to Japan's Sagan Dosu Youth team in 2023. He is currently tied for 10th in the striker category with five goals in the JFA U-18 Premier League WEST.
The Japanese media 'Football Trib' is paying attention to Kim, citing him as one of the four "high school divinity leaders to lead Japanese soccer in 2025". Kim married his Japanese wife, Rumiko Dani, in 2006 and have three sons. First Kim Tae-yang, second Kim Do-yoon, and third Kim Dam-yul are all known as soccer players.
star77@sportschosun.com
