South Korea has called up 16-year-old Casey Phair to its 23-player squad for the 2023 Women’s World Cup.
According to The Athletic, the teenager was born in the U.S. to a mother from South Korea and a father who was also born in the U.S. She will be the first mixed-race player of any gender to play for South Korea if she gets minutes during the tournament.
South Korea coach Colin Bell said he is focused on protecting the young player.
“I know as the first mixed race player for Korea, men and women, it’s a highlight, it’s something new,” Bell said at a press conference in Seoul, according to Reuters.
“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.
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“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.”
Phair plays high school soccer at Pingry School in New Jersey. According to Top Drawer Soccer, she plays in the Player’s Development Academy for the PDA (ECNL) team.
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