South Korea have called up 16-year-old Casey Phair to their 23-player squad for the Women’s World Cup.
Phair, who was born in the U.S. to an American father and a South Korean mother, will become the first mixed-race player of any gender to play for the Asian nation if she features at the tournament.
The forward has represented South Korea at youth level and has played for the Players Development Academy in the US.
South Korea head coach Colin Bell, the Englishman who previously managed the Republic of Ireland Women’s side, said on Wednesday that Phair “is not going as a passenger but as a valuable member of the squad and has every chance of getting into the team”.
He added: “I know as the first mixed-race player for Korea, men and women, it’s a highlight, it’s something new.”
“But as far as I’m concerned she’s still a kid and it’s my duty to protect her so she can blossom and really fulfil her potential.
“We’re taking care of her, she’s taken very well to the team. She’s in the squad on merit. She deserves, on her performance, to be selected.”
There are set to be other 16-year-olds competing at the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. Barcelona’s Giulia Dragoni was named in the Italy squad and made her senior debut in a friendly against
