From 2026, 20 K-League foreigners are allowed to GK in the K-League 2 entry X 10 million won for owners of Anyang
Jun 20, 2025
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▶ Foreign goalkeeper registration available from 2026
Starting in 2026, foreign goalkeeper registration is allowed. In the mid-1990s, when most clubs used foreign goalkeepers as their main players, the K-League gradually restricted the number of foreign goalkeepers from 1996 and completely banned the registration of foreign goalkeepers in 1999 to foster domestic goalkeepers.
The board said it considered the excessive annual growth rate of domestic players compared to field players due to restrictions on foreign players in special positions, and the fact that the number of clubs has increased significantly compared to the time when foreign goalkeepers were introduced, allowing foreign goalkeepers to secure enough opportunities for domestic goalkeepers. Accordingly, from 2026, the clause that goalkeepers must be domestic players in the K-League tournament's guidelines will be deleted, and both K-League 1 and K-League 2 will apply.
▶Expanded to 20 players on the K League 2 roster from 2026
From 2026, the list of K League 2 players will be expanded from 18 to a maximum of 20. K League 1 has been operating with 20 players on the roster since the 2024 season. Currently, the K League 2 roster has a total of 18 players, including 11 starters and seven on standby, but it will be increased to 11 starters and nine candidates.
The board said it considered the need to increase performance by securing diversity in replacement cards, and to guarantee domestic players' opportunities to play as the AFC and ASEAN quarters were abolished and the number of foreign players registered without nationality increased.
▶ Add homegrown player to Young Player Award winner qualification
It has been decided to add 'Homebody Player' to the eligibility for the 23-year-old Lee Hae-young Player Award, which was limited to 'Korean nationality player'. The board of directors said that homegrown players who were fostered in domestic soccer and given the same status as Korean players through rookie contracts with K-League clubs need to be given the same qualification as Korean players for the Young Player Award.
▶Appointment of new directors
Kim Seung-hee, executive director of the Korea Football Association, and Kwon Il, general manager of Gimpo FC, were elected as the new directors of the federation.
▶ Reexamination of the Result of the FC Anyang Punishment Committee
Regarding the disciplinary action of 10 million won in sanctions imposed on FC Anyang, the Anyang club's request for a retrial was rejected and the reward and punishment committee's decision was maintained. Mayor Choi Dae-ho, the owner of Anyang, held an open press conference at the media room of Anyang Sports Complex on the 20th of last month to make negative comments on the referee's decision, slander the K-League and loss of honor.
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
