Korea Republic’s final squad for the FIFA Women’s World Cup has been announced with 23 players and two reserves selected to participate in the world finals that take place in Australia and New Zealand.

Colin Bell included all of the key players at his disposal, putting Kim Jungmi, Yoon Younggeul, Kim Hyeri, Lim Seonjoo, Jang Selgi, Choe Yuri, Ji Soyun, Choo Hyojoo, Cho Sohyun, Lee Geummin and Park Eunseon on the list. 16-year-old Casey Phair, who had been called up for the first time as a foreign-born player, also made the list.

Lee Eunyoung and Go Yoona will travel to Australia with the national team as reserves, who could be promoted to the first team in case of emergency until 24 hours prior to the kick-off of the first match according to the tournament regulations.

Amongst the 31 players who had trained at the national football centre since 16 June, six players who did not make the list were released after the training session on Tuesday. Lee Mina and Jang Chang, who had not been called up to the final training camp due to injuries, were not able to join the squad.

A total of 14 players in the final squad have experienced the Women’s World Cup, with Kim Jungmi, Park Eunseon, Ji Soyun, Cho Sohyun, Kim Hyeri, Lim Seonjoo, and Lee Geummin to take part in their third world finals.

At the age of 38 years and nine months, goalkeeper Kim Jungmi is set to become the oldest female player to participate in the world finals. In fact, she is the second oldest player – both men and women – to achieve the feat, after Park Gyujeong took part in the 1954 FIFA World Cup in Switzerland at the age of 39 years and two months.

Conversely, Casey Phair will become the youngest player – both men and women – ever to step on the biggest stage at the age of 16 years and a month, surpassing the record of 16 years and nine months set by Park Eunseon who made her debut at the 2003 FIFA Women’s World Cup in the Unites States.

The women’s national team will take on Haiti in a friendly and send-off party at Seoul World Cup Stadium on Saturday afternoon, before leaving for Australia on 10 July. Korea Republic will face Colombia in their group stage opener on 25 July, with other fixtures to follow against Morocco on 30 July and then Germany on 3 August.

Korea Republic’s best result at the Women’s World Cup was achieved at Canada 2015, where they reached the round of 16.

Korea Republic squad for FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia/New Zealand 2023

Goalkeepers: Kim Jungmi (Incheon Hyundai Steel), Yoon Younggeul (BK Hacken, Sweden), Ryu Jisoo (Seoul City)

Defenders: Kim Hyeri, Lim Seonjoo, Jang Selgi, Hong Hyeji (Incheon Hyundai Steel), Shim Seoyeon, Choo Hyojoo (Suwon FC), Lee Youngju (Madrid CFF, Spain)

Midfielders: Ji Soyun, Kim Yunji, Jeon Eunha (Suwon FC), Cho Sohyun (Tottenham Hotspur, England), Lee Geummin (Brighton & Hove Albion, England), Chun Garam (Hwacheon KSPO), Bae Yebin (Uiduk University)

Forwards: Choe Yuri, Kang Chaerim, Son Hwayeon (Incheon Hyundai Steel), Moon Mira (Suwon FC), Park Eunseon (Seoul City), Casey Phair (PDA, USA)

*Reserves: Go Yoona (Hwacheon KSPO), Lee Eunyoung (Korea University)