K League 1 Returns: Here’s How Every Team’s 2026 Has Gone So Far

After some time away for the World Cup break, K League 1 action returns this weekend with a full slate of fixtures. As such, Nathan Sartain gives a quick blurb on every club, in ascending order. 

FC Seoul

After a disappointing 2025, FC Seoul have set the foundations for a successful 2026 so far, topping the table by a six-point margin following back-to-back wins before the World Cup break. Ranking third in the division for xG created (25.6), first for big chances (39), and third for touches in the opposition box (358), a better-equipped attacking outfit will look to continue their impressive form when up against Incheon United this Sunday.

Ulsan HD

Having won three consecutive K League 1 titles beforehand, few would have expected Ulsan HD to finish ninth last season. Yet they did, keeping their heads narrowly above a promotion/relegation playoff spot.

This season, the Horangi have somewhat stabilised, winning three of their last five matches under new boss Kim Hyun-seok. Shipping 20 goals (the third-highest total of any top-flight side) is a concern, but being just three victories away from matching last campaign’s win total gives indications that the club are moving in the right direction again.

Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors

The 2025 champions haven’t quite blown fans away yet, but return to action on the back of a six-game unbeaten stretch (four wins, two draws). Impressively, Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors have kept seven clean sheets, but still rank first for touches in the opposition box (429), shots on target per game (5.1) and second for xG creation (26.6).

This kind of balance should stand the Green Warriors in good stead going forward, starting with the team directly below them in Gangwon FC this weekend.

Gangwon FC

Speaking of Gangwon, they began 2026 being qualifying for the knockout round, then being eliminated from the AFC Champions League Elite competition. In the meantime, they struggled for domestic victories, but after winning three of their last five games, are now firmly able to look forward again.

Under manager Jung Kyung-ho, the Bears play an exciting brand of football, and will hope to retain key talent in the summer window to continue building on their growing status within Korean football.

Pohang Steelers

Solid but unspectacular, Pohang Steelers were starting to trend upwards before the World Cup, only for a 2-0 defeat to Bucheon FC 1995 to bring them somewhat back down to earth. Underscoring their xG tally by 13.5, chance conversion has been a real issue for Park Tae-ha’s men, though their impressive defensive record (0.8 goals conceded per game) has at least kept the ship steady.

Incheon United

The reigning K League 2 champions Incheon United have so far enjoyed a solid return to top-flight action, occupying the final spot in the top-half following a resounding 4-0 thrashing of Gwangju FC. Working under the tutelage of acclaimed manager Yoon Jong-hwan, fans definitely have reason to be excited about their club, who average 1.4 goals per game, the third-highest in the league.

FC Anyang

Continuing on from their impressive debut in K League 1, FC Anyang are again a club making themselves hard to beat, with plenty of potential to excite at the same time. This year, the Violets have become draw specialists with eight stalemates from their 15 matches, yet by the same token have lost the joint-fewest amount of matches (three) despite keeping just two clean-sheets.

Nevertheless, Anyang are now without the talented Thomas Oude Kotte, so will need to compensate for his departure when hosting Pohang Steelers this weekend.

Jeju SK

Initially starting 2026 slow, Jeju SK have grown into life under Sergio Costa, and return to action with the potential to rise into the top-half should they iron out some of their attacking deficiencies. Notably, the Tangerines rank 10th for xG creation (19) and have scored just 13 goals, but on a positive note have conceded only 16 times from the fourth-lowest xGA total in the division (18).

This weekend, Jeju return to action against Gimcheon Sangmu.

Bucheon FC 1995

After sealing promotion to the top-flight, Bucheon FC 1995 have made some decent progress, attaining 17 points from their opening 15 games. Ranking 11th for xG creation (13.8), and ninth for xGA (22.7), there is definitely work to be done should Lee Young-min's men wish to maintain their top-flight status, yet a 2-0 victory against Pohang Steelers pre-break will certainly go a long way in getting supporters on side for the journey.

Daejeon Hana Citizen

Disappointing fans domestically after enjoying a record-breaking 2025, Daejeon Hana Citizen sit in a precarious position having lost three consecutive games. With an xGA tally of 23.6, the Purples have shown themselves to be fairly defensively fragile recently, and are currently averaging 0.4 less goals scored per game than last season.

Now looking to regroup, Daejeon host Bucheon FC 1995 on their return to K League 1 action.

Gimcheon Sangmu

Initially the draw specialists of this season, Gimcheon Sangmu are struggling for form having lost three of their last four outings. Without lots of the players who made the last two seasons a success, as well as adjusting to life under new boss Ju Seung-jin, there's a lot for the military side to refine heading into the second phase of the campaign. Notably, they will need to be more clinical, having underscored their xG total by 5.1 (15 goals scored from an xG of 20.1).

Gwangju FC

2026's strugglers are undoubtedly Gwangju FC. Sitting bottom of the table, the Griffins have already shipped 37 goals, and with just one victory are a hefty seven points adrift from what could end up a promotion/relegation spot.

Having said that, Gwangju have been active in the summer transfer market, so will hope fresh faces can reenergise a squad in urgent need of a boost.