South Korean women call off the boycott threat weeks before the AFC Asian Cup

A dispute in which South Korea’s female players threatened to boycott next month’s Women’s Asian Cup due to «discriminatory circumstances» has been resolved, football officials in the country said on Tuesday pdf view.

South Korea’s women’s national team had complained last year about «poor» treatment by the Korean Football Association (KFA) compared to its male counterparts.

A statement in September, which was made public in January, said the players would boycott matches and training ahead of the Asian Cup if the KFA did not address concerns over travel, training facilities and accommodation.

The KFA said the matter had been “resolved” and on Tuesday named a squad of 26 players for the Asian Cup, which will be held in Australia and starts on March 1.

The KFA said the association would offer business class travel to all women’s team members on long-haul flights from this year.

It added that it aimed to “strengthen a sustainable support system that enables the players to perform at their best while taking pride in wearing the national colours”.

The team will meet at South Korea’s national training center on Sunday before heading to Australia four days later.

The team has been drawn in a first round group with hosts Australia, Iran and the Philippines.

Coach Shin Sang-woo’s squad includes former Chelsea midfielder Ji So-yun and US-born 18-year-old Casey Phair of Angel City FC.

Eight players from abroad were mentioned, including AC Milan’s Park Soo-jeong.

South Korea opens its campaign against Iran on the Gold Coast on March 2.

Published on February 10, 2026