News: K League's Foreign Goalkeeper Ban to be Scrapped From 2026

The K League will, from 2026, allow foreign goalkeepers, scrapping a ban that had been in place since 1999. Other rules have been tweaked regarding K League 2 matchday squad sizes and eligibility for the Young Player of the Year Award.

The Korea Professional Football League held its third board meeting of 2025 on Thursday, the 19th, at the Football Centre in Sinmunno, Seoul. The following items were resolved: 

• Foreign goalkeepers to be permitted from 2026
• Increase in squad size for K League 2 matches
• Inclusion of all homegrown players in eligibility for the Young Player of the Year Award
• Appointment of new board members
• Review of disciplinary ruling regarding FC Anyang.

Foreign Goalkeepers Allowed from 2026

From 2026, the registration of foreign goalkeepers will be permitted. During the mid-1990s, when the K League operated with just eight teams, most clubs fielded foreign goalkeepers as first-choice players. To foster the development of domestic goalkeepers, the League began restricting the number of appearances by foreign goalkeepers from 1996, eventually imposing a full ban on their registration from 1999.

The Board explained that the goalkeeper position, being highly specialised, had seen disproportionate wage increases for domestic players due to the restriction. Furthermore, as the number of clubs has significantly increased since the initial ban, sufficient opportunities for domestic goalkeepers remain even with the inclusion of foreign players. Accordingly, the clause mandating that goalkeepers be domestic players will be removed from the K League regulations from 2026, applying to both K League 1 and K League 2.

K League 2 Matchday Squad Size to Increase to 20 from 2026

From the 2026 season, the K League 2 matchday squad size will be expanded from the current 18 players to a maximum of 20. K League 1 has already implemented the 20-player squad format starting from the 2024 season. Currently, K League 2 matchday squads consist of 11 starting players and seven substitutes, totalling 18, but this will change to 11 starters and nine substitutes.

The Board cited improved tactical flexibility through more substitution options and the need to ensure domestic player opportunities as reasons for the change, particularly given the removal of the AFC and ASEAN foreign player quotas and the resulting increase in the number of foreign players who can be registered regardless of nationality.

Homegrown Players Eligible for Young Player of the Year Award

Eligibility for the Young Player of the Year Award, previously limited to Korean nationals aged 23 and under, will be extended to include all 'homegrown players'. The Board stated that players who have been developed within the domestic football system and signed as professionals with K League clubs, thereby holding the same status as Korean players, should equally be considered eligible for the award.

Appointment of New Board Members

Kim Seung-hee, Executive Director of the Korea Football Association, and Kwon Il, General Manager of Gimpo FC, have been appointed as new members of the League’s Board of Directors.

Review of FC Anyang Disciplinary Decision

The League has decided to uphold the disciplinary committee's decision and dismiss FC Anyang's appeal regarding a fine of 10 million KRW. Last month, on Tuesday the 20th, Mayor Choi Dae-ho, the club owner of FC Anyang, held a public press conference at Anyang Sports Complex's media room where he made negative remarks about refereeing decisions and actions deemed to have defamed the K League and harmed its reputation.

via K League press release