News: K League makes changes to foreign player quota and U22 rule

The K League has made some significant changes to major rules that clubs have to follow, including the near-scrapping of the foreign player cap and the U22 rule for K League 1 clubs.

The K League held its fifth board meeting of 2025 on Thursday 30th October, where it approved several agenda items, including:

▲ Confirmation of the regulations for the Promotion–Relegation Play-offs,

▲ Amendment to the foreign player system, and

▲ Revision of the U22 mandatory appearance rule.

2025 Season Promotion–Relegation Play-off Regulations

K League has finalised the regulations for the Hana Bank K League Promotion–Relegation Playoffs 2025.

This year’s play-offs will see 11th-placed team in K League 1 face the second-placed team in K League 2 fo Promotion–Relegation Playoff 1. The 10th-placed team in K League 1 will face the winner of the K League 2 playoffs in Promotion–Relegation Playoff 2).

The first leg of Playoff 1 will be held on Wednesday 3rd December, with the second leg on Sunday 7th December. The first leg of Playoff 2 will take place on Thursday 4th December, with the second leg also on Sunday 7th December.

A maximum of five foreign players may be included in a team’s matchday squad, with up to four permitted on the pitch at any one time. If extra time is required, one additional substitution and one extra substitution opportunity will be allowed.

K League Removes Foreign Player Quota

From the 2026 season onwards, the K League will abolish the quota on the number of foreign players a club may register. Clubs will therefore be free to register as many foreign players as they wish.

However, the number of foreign players eligible to play in a single match will increase from four to five in K League 1, while K League 2 clubs will continue to be allowed up to four.

This change aims to enhance the K League’s international competitiveness in line with the growing trend of expanded foreign player slots in the AFC Champions League and neighbouring domestic leagues. It is also intended to promote greater flexibility and diversity in foreign player recruitment, while boosting both the quality of play and the commercial appeal of K League 1.

U22 Rule Relaxed 

From the 2026 season, the mandatory appearance rule for under-22 (U22) players will be relaxed. In K League 1, clubs will be permitted to make up to five substitutions per match regardless of whether a U22 player takes part. However, at least two U22 players must still be named in the 20-man matchday squad. If only one U22 player is listed, the squad will be reduced to 19 players; if none are included, it will be limited to 18.

Given the removal of the foreign player registration limit and the increase in K League 1’s foreign player match quota from four to five, the revision aims to ensure that players in their prime, aged over 22, also have sufficient opportunities to play. The change is expected to enhance both the competitive standard and marketability of K League 1.

K League 2 will also see a similar easing of the U22 appearance rule. If no U22 players appear, only three substitutions are permitted. If one U22 player starts and none are used as substitutes, four substitutions are allowed. If no U22 player starts but two or more come on as substitutes, four substitutions are allowed.

If two or more U22 players start, or if one starts and another comes on as a substitute, all five substitutions may be used.