The K League's ban on foreign goalkeepers will be lifted. BBC is paying attention to this change.
The Korea Professional Football Federation (hereinafter referred to as the Federation) held its third board meeting for 2025 on the 19th at the Football Hall in Sinmunno, Seoul, and passed a resolution allowing the registration of foreign goalkeepers starting in 2026.
The K League gradually limited the number of matches foreign goalkeepers could participate in starting in 1996 to nurture domestic goalkeepers, as most clubs used foreign goalkeepers as starters during the mid-1990s when it was operated with 8 teams. In 1999, a complete ban on the registration of foreign goalkeepers was implemented.
The board noted, "The registration of foreign players in the goalkeeper position, which is a special position, has caused domestic players' salary growth rates to be excessive compared to field players. Additionally, considering that the number of clubs has significantly increased since the introduction of the foreign goalkeeper restriction, allowing foreign goalkeepers would still provide ample opportunities for domestic goalkeepers to play."
Starting in 2026, the clause in the K League competition rules stating that goalkeepers must be domestic players will be removed. This applies to both K League 1 and K League 2.
The British BBC highlighted this change by the Federation.
On the 20th, BBC reported, "The regulation prohibiting foreign goalkeepers from participating in Korea's professional football will be lifted after 27 years. Starting next year, foreign goalkeepers will be allowed to participate. This regulation, which has been in place since 1999, was introduced to ensure that local goalkeepers could secure sufficient playing time. At that time, there were only 10 professional clubs in Korea, but now there are 26 clubs across both the first and second divisions."
Meanwhile, starting in 2026, the roster for K League 2 players will expand from the current 18 to a maximum of 20.
K League 1 has been operating with a 20-player roster since the 2024 season. Currently, the K League 2 roster principle is 18 players, consisting of 11 starters and 7 substitutes; however, the number will increase to 11 starters and 9 substitutes.
The board stated, "By ensuring the diversity of substitution cards, we aim to enhance game performance, and considering the abolition of the AFC quota and ASEAN quota, as well as the need to increase the number of foreign players registered regardless of nationality, it is also necessary to guarantee playing opportunities for domestic players."
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