The election to fill the vacant presidency of the Korea Football Association (KFA) will likely be held before the end of 2026 under an expanded voting format, officials announced Tuesday.

Park Ji-sung, former men's national team captain and co-head of the K-Football Innovation Committee, disclosed the plan following the government-formed body's latest meeting. Park, widely regarded as one of South Korea's most accomplished footballers following a decorated career with PSV Eindhoven and Manchester United, has taken a central role in the push to overhaul the KFA's governance. The committee was established by the sports ministry in early July following South Korea's early elimination from the 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, and amid persistent controversy over the KFA's opaque operations.

KFA President Chung Mong-gyu, who had led the organization since 2013, resigned shortly after the national team's group-stage exit from the tournament, cutting short his fourth term in office. His departure marked a significant moment for the KFA, which has faced long-standing criticism from fans and reform advocates over a closed election system that concentrated voting power among a small group of insiders.

Since its formation, the committee has convened multiple meetings to address administrative reform at the KFA. In late July, it reviewed the presidential election format and recommended expanding the electorate from approximately 200 voters to roughly 20,000. The existing voter base comprised heads of regional football associations, players, referees, and coaches. The expanded electorate, once finalized, would incorporate a broader contingent of amateur and semi-professional players from across South Korea's football ecosystem.

The committee asserted that a larger electorate would more accurately represent the entire football community and enhance the fairness of the election process.

"We will need some time to prepare for the election but our committee members and the KFA have all agreed that the election must not go past this year at the latest," Park told reporters after Tuesday's online meeting. "The KFA wants to hold the election as soon as possible, and its representatives have been proactive in these discussions. I expect the election to take place before the end of this year."

Under the previous system, eligible voters cast ballots in person. Park acknowledged that in-person voting would be impractical for an electorate of approximately 20,000.

"We will explore having electronic or online voting in discussions with working-level staff," Park said.

Park also announced that the committee will open its next meeting to the public, scheduled for 2 p.m. on August 19 at Korea Football Park — the new headquarters of the KFA — in Cheonan, approximately 90 kilometers south of Seoul. Football fans and players are welcome to attend, Park added.

The K-Football Innovation Committee held its latest meeting at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in Seoul.