Coupang Play said on Thursday it will live stream all matches of the 2026 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) U23 Asian Cup, which opens on Jan. 6.

The tournament is an important stage for checking the South Korea U23 team’s match sharpness ahead of the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games in September. The team, led by coach Lee Min-sung, is aiming to reclaim the title for the first time in 6 years since 2020.

The squad includes key players active in domestic and overseas leagues such as Kang Sang-yoon of Jeonbuk Hyundai, Kang Seong-jin of Suwon Samsung, Shin Min-ha of Gangwon FC, Kim Yong-hak of Pohang Steelers and Kim Tae-won of Portimonense, raising expectations.

Coupang Play plans to add to the viewing experience with professional commentary and a range of content. It will highlight viewing points such as analysis of opposing teams and expected tactics through a preview show 30 minutes before kickoff. Commentators Lee Keun-ho and Hwang Deok-yeon will be on the microphone.

Hwang, in particular, took part in the same tournament in 2020 as an equipment manager and experienced winning the title. Hwang said, "I am looking forward to seeing whether coach Lee Min-sung, who was part of the coaching staff at the time, will deliver another trophy to South Korea with leadership that combines warmth and charisma." He added, "The key is for the squad to maintain focus amid unfamiliar on-site variables and unexpected situations."

The tournament will also feature a battle of wits among Korean coaches. Kim Sang-sik, who leads the Vietnam U23 team, has been on a winning run by recording 3 consecutive major tournament titles after succeeding former coach Park Hang-seo, drawing attention to his team’s results in this Asian Cup.

The U23 Asian Cup features 16 teams split into 4 groups for the group stage, after which the top 2 teams from each group advance to the quarter-finals to decide the champion. The tournament runs through Jan. 25.