South Korea’s men’s football and baseball teams are preparing to compete at the Asian Games in Japan this September, aiming to maintain their dominant streak in the region’s premier multi-sport event. Both teams face significant pressure, as securing a gold medal would exempt the players from South Korea’s mandatory military service, allowing them to continue their professional careers with fewer interruptions.
The South Korean Under-23 men’s football team enters the tournament seeking a fourth consecutive Asian Games gold medal, having captured titles in Incheon (2014), Jakarta (2018), and Hangzhou (2023). Their latest triumph came with a 2-1 victory over Japan in the 2023 final, marking the country’s sixth gold in men’s football at the Games—more than any other nation. This year, the football team is placed in Group D alongside Qatar and Saudi Arabia, with matches scheduled to begin on September 15 against Qatar, followed by a September 22 fixture against Saudi Arabia. The squad consists predominantly of players under 23, complemented by three overage players drawn from the recent World Cup roster: midfielder Yang Hyun-jun (24), midfielder Eom Ji-sung (24), and defender Lee Gi-hyuk (26).
Despite their successful recent history, the football team confronts internal and external challenges. The squad is still recovering from an early exit at the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the fallout from controversies involving former head coach Hong Myung-bo and Korea Football Association president Chung Mong-gyu. Head coach Lee Min-sung has faced criticism for the lack of a consistent tactical approach and limited preparation time. Analysts note that while the team boasts strong attackers and wingers, vulnerabilities persist in central midfield and defense. South Korea is also expected to contend with defensive strategies aimed at limiting their attacking opportunities. If they advance beyond the group stage, Japan—widely regarded as Asia’s top football nation—and an emerging generation from Uzbekistan are viewed as the main obstacles to retaining the title.
Meanwhile, the South Korean men’s baseball team is aiming for a fifth straight gold medal and its seventh overall, having dominated the Asian Games for more than a decade. Their recent track record includes four consecutive titles starting in 2010. Chinese Taipei represents the principal rival within the sport, having handed South Korea a group-stage loss in the 2018 Asian Games and large-margin defeats in subsequent international tournaments. However, South Korea reversed fortunes by defeating Chinese Taipei 2-0 in the final of the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games, securing their latest championship.
The baseball team opens its Group B schedule against Chinese Taipei on September 21, followed by games versus Hong Kong and Thailand on September 22 and September 23, respectively. The roster mainly consists of players aged 25 and under, with three wildcards under 30. Key contributors expected to anchor the team include Doosan Bears pitcher Gwak Been and Kia Tigers infielder Kim Do-young.
With national pride and professional futures on the line, both South Korean teams are under intense focus as they seek to extend their legacies in two of the country’s most popular sports on the Asian sporting stage.