2026 Season Preview: Gangwon FC | OneFootball

In a season that saw Gangwon FC debut on the AFC Champions League Elite stage, the Bears followed-up their record-breaking 2024 with a respectable fifth-place finish in K League 1. But after a winter focused mostly around player retention, what will Jung Kyung-ho’s men have in store this year?

Last Season

13W-13D-12L, fifth-place

What Happened?

It was always going to be a tall order for first-time manager Jung Kyung-ho to fill the shoes of his predecessor Yoon Jong-hwan (who had won K League 1 manager of the season prior to his December 2024 departure), and initially Gangwon started the season inconsistently. Early away wins against Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors and Ulsan HD showcased an increased defensive steel as well as some tactical promise, whilst narrow 1-0 losses to the likes of FC Seoul, Daejeon Hana Citizen and Gimcheon Sangmu highlighted issues with creating high quality chances in the final third.

As a matter of fact, Gangwon would score just seven times in their first 11 league games, unable to garner any sort of attacking consistency or momentum. Yet occasional victories kept the Bears competing around the top-half, even as their home form began to dwindle (they would fail to win any of their last five matches played in Chuncheon).

Then, much like back in 2022, a summer resurgence arrived. Spurred on by the acquisitions of striker Kim Gun-hee, winger Mo Jae-hyun, and the returning duo of Kim Dae-won and Seo Min-woo from their military service, Gangwon suddenly had attacking spark, able to play on the front-foot or at the very least counter with pace. A 3-0 home thrashing of Daegu FC reignited energy in the camp, and coupled with a dramatic 2-1 away triumph over Suwon FC (where Kim Dae-won’s long-range winner was immediately followed by a second booking for removing his shirt) suddenly ambitions shifted towards once again qualifying for the AFC Champions League.

From here, the Bears would lose only three of their final 15 matches on their way to a fifth-placed finish, earning impressive wins against the likes of FC Seoul, Gimcheon Sangmu and Pohang Steelers along the way. For the most part, Jung Kyung-ho’s men would stay sturdy in defence too, confident dealing with opposition pressure as they racked up an impressive 15 clean sheets (the joint-highest in the division).

All in all then, it was a reasonably successful campaign for Gangwon under Jung Kyung-ho, who found a better identity in the second-half of the year, and in the process ensured fans and players stayed believing in their project.

It’s been a low-key winter transfer window for Gangwon in 2026, with the club largely aiming to keep hold of key players such as Kim Dae-won, Shin Min-ha, Park Sang-hyeok and Mo Jae-hyun for the coming season instead of overhauling their already bulky squad. However, it didn’t stop the Bears from ambitiously signing Goh Young-jun in a loan move from Gornik Zabrze, adding some creativity into the attacking midfield area to cover the loss of Lee Sang-heon, who has departed on loan to Gimcheon Sangmu as part of his military service.

Returning to Korea after initially rising through the ranks at Pohang Steelers, Goh Young-jun will himself be looking to replicate the type of form that earned him a European move in the first place. In his benchmark 2023 K League campaign, the attacking midfielder notched eight goals, and averaged (per 90) 1.19 shots on target, 0.36 xG, 1.19 chances created, 4.36 touches in the opposition box and 1.76 fouls won.

Elsewhere, the Bears have acquired forward Abdallah Khlaikhal, who arrives with experience across Israel, Georgia and Dubai. He’s likely to replace Vitor Gabriel, who has joined newly-promoted Bucheon FC 1995, as a useful squad depth option, and someone who can hopefully add some goals to a side that did struggle to score them in parts last year.

Finally, the departures of loyal players Lee Gwang-yeon and Kim Dae-woo to Seongnam FC and Daegu are bound to leave some fans disappointed, but afford both the chance to reignite their career in a fresh environment.

Key Player

Mo Jae-hyun

Since his summer arrival at Gangwon, Mo Jae-hyun has become a key creative figure at the club, trusted to often be the driving force in transition attacks. With five goals and five assists in 19 league appearances, the direct winger was prolific too, contributing to 27% of the club’s goals whilst also bringing the best out of the likes of Kim Gun-hee around him. This year, the task will be for Mo Jae-hyun to replicate this form over a 38-game streak, and help propel the Bears forward.

Young Player to Watch

Kim Do-hyun

Although Shin Min-ha and Lee Seung-won undoubtedly remain the most promising of Gangwon’s current crop of young talent, the emergence of Kim Do-hyun as a regular first-teamer last year is something worth keeping an eye on. And, while the winger/wing-back mightn’t have notched any goal contributions, his pace in dribbling, discipline and eagerness to progress play are helpful attributes as he aims to carve a regular role for himself in the team.

Biggest Question

What are Gangwon's expectations and ambitions?

Having unexpectedly qualified for the AFC Champions League Elite, then steadied the ship with a young manager the following year, Gangwon now have time to reassess their overarching ambitions. Do they wish to push for the ACL positions again? Would they be content with steadiness? Is this season in fact a free hit to try something fresh given there is no automatic relegation spot?

In 2025, it was agreeably pragmatic to initially aim for survival, then readjust expectations when Final A was in reach. This time round, however, Jung Kyung-ho will be expected to continue executing his plan to take Gangwon forward, and build on a promising maiden managerial season. Areas that were granted some degree of leeway (low chance creation, dropping points from winning positions, and a lack of set-piece efficiency) will now have the belief improvements have been made attached to them, and as such Final A should automatically be viewed as achievable.

Reason to Watch

An Exciting Squad

When looking across Gangwon’s squad, it’s undeniably impressive what the provincial club have managed to build. There are seasoned professionals such as Lee You-hyeon, Kim Dae-won, Kim Gun-hee and Mo Jae-hyun. There are players reaching their prime like Seo Min-woo, Song Jun-seok and Lee Gi-hyuk. And there is high-potential young talent within the squad, namely Shin Min-ha, Lee Seung-won and Kim Do-hyun. All together it makes for a well-balanced roster, one capable of providing entertainment without compromising on the necessary intangibles.

Put even simpler, Gangwon’s focus on retaining their core talent this winter has allowed their squad to remain one packed with talent, and, at least on paper, equipped to help continue the club’s upwards trajectory.