K League Ends Goalkeeper Ban: A New Era for South Korean Soccer
The 26-year restriction on foreign goalkeepers in South Korea's K League is lifted for 2026. Previously enacted to protect local talent, the rule change follows the expansion of professional clubs. This aligns the K League with other Asian competitions and addresses concerns about the quality and salary of domestic keepers.
- Country:
- South Korea
The South Korean K League has announced the end of its 26-year ban on foreign goalkeepers starting in the 2026 season, marking a significant policy shift. Since 1999, the league, Asia's oldest professional domestic soccer league, only permitted Korean goalkeepers in an effort to nurture local talent.
The K League's governing board lifted the restriction following the league's expansion to 26 professional clubs across its top two tiers, believing there are now ample opportunities for homegrown goalkeepers. The board also noted that restricted foreign player registrations previously contributed to a steep salary increase for domestic keepers compared to outfield players.
This decision aligns the K League with other major Asian leagues in Japan, Saudi Arabia, and China and aims to address concerns over the current shortage of high-quality domestic goalkeepers due to larger modern rosters.
(With inputs from agencies.)
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