An American teenager made history in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup on Monday, but she’s not playing for the U.S.
Entering the game against Colombia in the 78th minute, 16-year-old Casey Phair became the youngest player to ever play in a FIFA Women’s World Cup during her World Cup debut for South Korea.
At 16 years and 26 days old, Phair broke the record of Nigeria’s Ifeanyi Chiejine, who made her debut at just 16 years and 34 days against Korea in 1999, according to FIFA.
The forward could also beat out Russia’s Elena Danilova, who scored at age 16 years and 107 days in 2003, as the youngest to score a goal at the women’s World Cup if she scores at any point during the tournament.
“I feel really proud and honored to be given this opportunity,” Phair said, according to The Associated Press. “And I’m ready and willing to do whatever it takes to help the country.”
Phair is the first multiracial player to play for either the South Korean men’s or women’s national team, The Athletic reported.
She was born in South Korea to a Korean mother and an American father before moving to the U.S. as a baby, according to Fox Sports.
“I know as the first mixed-race player for Korea, men and women, it’s a highlight, it’s something new,” South Korea coach Colin Bell said, per The Athletic. “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 fulfill her potential.”
Despite her age, Bell views Phair as a “valuable member of the squad.”
“We’re taking care of her, she’s taken very well to the team. She’s selected because I think she can help the team now, like every other player,” Bell said, per the AP. “She is going not as a passenger but as a valuable member of the squad.”
After being subbed in, Phair demonstrated her value to the team. Her physicality sent a Colombian player to the ground after a collision from a header. South Korea ultimately lost 2-0.
Prior to the World Cup, Phair had been training in New Jersey with the Players Development Academy. She has previously played with the South Korea Under-17 team and scored five goals in two games for the team during Asian Cup qualifying.
South Korea plays Morocco in its second match on Saturday at 10:30 p.m. MDT.
