Korea Football Association announced a 21-player squad for the 2022 FIFA Women’s U-20 World Cup on Thursday.

The FIFA Women’s U-20 World Cup kicks off in Costa Rica on 10 August. In the 16-nation tournament, Hwang Insun’s side are pitted against France, Canada and Nigeria in the group stage.

Most of the key players – Lee Suin, Kim Myeongjin (Korea University) and Kim Eunju (Ulsan College) – have made the list. Amongst the 21 players, there are 16 university students, one with a semi-pro club and four attending high schools. Ulsan Hyundai High School midfielder Won Chaeeun, 17, is the youngest player of the squad.

The women’s U-20 national team are called up to the National Football Centre in Paju on 15 July to commence their final training sessions. They are scheduled to set up a training camp in Mexico on 27 July, before arriving in Costa Rica on 7 August.

The FIFA Women’s U-20 World Cup is a biannual competition that was established in 2002. Korea Republic have reached the finals five times so far, finishing third in the 2010 edition in Germany with the likes of Ji Soyun, Kim Hyeri, Lee Mina and Lim Seonjoo winning the bronze.

More recently, the 2020 edition was cancelled due to the COVID-19 outbreak. As the AFC Women’s U-19 Asian Cup (continental qualifiers for the world finals) did not take place for the same reason, the previously qualified teams for the 2020 finals have automatically qualified for this year’s competition.

Korea Republic national team for the 2022 FIFA Women’s U-20 World Cup (21 players)

Goalkeepers: Do Yoonji (Dankook University), Kim Kyeonghee (Changnyeong WFC), Woo Seobin (Pohang Girls’ Electronic High School)

Defenders: Lee Suin, Han Dain (Korea University), Kim Minji, Lee Dayune (Daeduk University), Bin Hyeonjin, Lee Jeongyeon (Uiduk University), Moon Hayeon (Gangwon State University)

Midfielders: Kim Eunju, Chun Garam (Ulsan College), Kim Myeongjin, Lee Seran, Seo Hyunmin, Lee Eunyoung (Korea University), Bae Yebin, Jeon Yugyeong (Pohang Girls’ Electronic High School), Won Chaeeun (Ulsan Hyundai High School)

Forwards: Ko Dayoung (Daeduk University), Go Yoona (Ulsan College)