The South Korean women's football team, ranked 21st in FIFA, achieved a 3-0 victory over Iran in their opening match of the 2026 AFC Women's Asian Cup. Despite the win, Head Coach Shin Sang-woo expressed concerns about the team's goal-scoring efficiency, having only scored once from 20 attempts in the first half. With the next match against the Philippines on May 5, the team is focusing on improving their performance through video analysis rather than direct training due to the short time available.

Korea's ultimate goal in this tournament is to secure their first championship, with an initial target of reaching the quarterfinals. To achieve this, they must convincingly defeat lower-ranked teams like Iran (68th) and the Philippines (41st), to build momentum before facing stronger opposition such as Australia (15th). Meanwhile, the Philippines, who recently showcased improved performance, are also seeking points against Korea to enhance their chances of making it to the knockouts after a close run in their previous match against Australia.

Additionally, the tournament serves as a qualifier for the 2027 Brazil Women's World Cup, with six spots available. Notably, veteran player Kim Hye-ri scored her first goal in international play after 11 years and fellow teammate Ko Yoo-jin marked her first career international goal as well, suggesting a promising offensive potential for the team. However, the match timing, being played in the afternoon, poses an additional challenge that the team must navigate as they strive for a strong showing not only for themselves but also as role models for younger players in women's football.