The Korea Football Association (KFA) has opened a new national training centre, built with the support of the FIFA Forward Programme, to serve as the new heart for elite training, youth development and the continued growth of the game in the region.

The Korea Football Park, at Cheonan in the province of South Chungcheong, aims to make the Korean national teams more competitive by providing the best training conditions for elite players. It will also help nurture youth players, coaches and referees by providing top-level educational facilities, as well as offering access to top-quality infrastructure for clubs and the general public.

It comprises seven football pitches, two small stadiums, a football museum and accommodation for the players. FIFA Forward supported funding for five of the pitches and the museum.

The centre was built in co-operation with the city of Cheonan, which has built an adjacent facility with a further five football pitches, an indoor sports centre, tennis courts and futsal pitches. This will help ensure a strong bond with local communities.

"The newly opened Korea Football Park will become a core hub for Korean football where all football industry professionals — players, coaches, and administrators — can research and grow,” said KFA President Chung Mong Gyu. "We will open a new horizon for Korean football through a Korean-style development model built on artificial intelligence and scientific research at this facility."

The opening ceremony was also attended by the Second Vice Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Kim Dae-hyun, Korean Sport & Olympic Committee (KSOC) President Ryu Seung-Min, K League President Kwon Oh-gap and FIFA Director Member Associations Asia & Oceania Sanjeevan C. Balasingam. Local government officials included South Chungcheong Province Governor Kim Tae-heum and Cheonan Acting Mayor Kim Seok-pil.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino congratulated the KFA in a video message broadcast during the ceremony. “It is paramount that we give players the best possible conditions to prepare and train, and I am especially pleased that this national training centre will serve as a heart for youth development as well as elite training,” he said.

“I am also very proud that FIFA Forward has supported the installation of pitches at the centre. As I have seen for myself during my visits to your beautiful country, you have done a fantastic job of growing football, and this has undoubtedly benefited the game in the whole region,” he said, adding that the Korean football was a model for others to follow.

“You have set an example of how to manage, develop and invest in football, including the women's game and youth football, and this has been reflected in your performances in FIFA and continental competitions. The Korea Republic is clearly a powerhouse of Asian football.”

He also wished the Korea Republic the best of luck in the FIFA World Cup 2026™ where they will be making their eleventh successive appearance and twelfth overall – a record for Asian teams – as well as the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027™.