Can't you see Korean soccer at the Olympics again…IOC discusses reducing men's soccer 16→12 team at LA Olympics
Apr 04, 2025
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The Associated Press reported on the 3rd (Korea time) that FIFA President Gianni Infantino proposed changing the number of men's and women's soccer teams for the 2028 LA Olympics.
Until now, 16 teams have participated in Olympic men's soccer and 12 teams in women's soccer. In the meantime, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has been raising opinions on the increase in the number of women participating teams. The reason is that it is tailored to the atmosphere of the times aimed at equality between men and women. In response, Infantino explained the reason for the proposal to reduce the men's participation team, saying, `If the number of women's soccer participants increases, additional players and executives will be needed, and as a result, it will exceed the agreed quota.'
In general, the management of the Olympic Games is managed by the International Federation of the respective sports, in addition to the host country and the IOC. In particular, FIFA has considerable authority over both men and women in soccer. The IOC wants to abolish the age limit for men's soccer, which is significant in popularity and profits, but it is crying over the participation of under-23 players and the wild card system amid opposition from FIFA, which hosts the World Cup. Infantino's proposal is a clear example of the situation in which FIFA has the initiative to operate Olympic soccer. The Associated Press reported that FIFA's proposal will be discussed at the IOC board meeting on the 9th.
Until the last Paris Olympics, there were 3.5 tickets for men's soccer in Asia. There were 4 chapters in Europe, 1 chapter in Oceania, 3.5 chapters in Africa, 2 chapters in North and Central America, and 2 chapters in South America. If the number of participating countries decreases from 16 to 12, it seems inevitable to adjust the number of participating countries in Asia and Africa.
If this happens, it will inevitably hurt Korean soccer's plan to return to the Olympic finals. The advance to the semifinals was thwarted by Indonesia in the Asian qualifying round for the Paris Olympics, putting a brake on the team's consecutive advance to the Olympics. Japan, Uzbekistan and Iraq participated in the Paris Olympics. If the number of tickets to the Olympics is adjusted at a time when the Asian soccer gap is clearly narrowing, it will be more difficult to guarantee that Korean soccer will go to the finals.
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
