FC Seoul clinch first K League 1 title in a decade with five games to spare
A 1-1 draw with Gangwon and Ulsan's slip against Pohang left FC Seoul 16 points clear with five games left, giving them the 2026 K League 1 title.
FC Seoul are the champions of South Korea for the first time in ten years. On Saturday they drew 1-1 with Gangwon FC at the Seoul World Cup Stadium, and Ulsan HD were held 2-2 by Pohang Steelers. That left Seoul 16 points clear with only five games to play, so the 2026 K League 1 title is theirs.
The title-clinching maths
Seoul now have 67 points and Ulsan, in second, have 51. Saturday's round was the last before the league splits into two groups: the top six play in Final A and the bottom six in Final B, with five more games each. Ulsan can win at most 15 more points, which is not enough to close a 16-point gap, so Seoul cannot be caught.
Under the current format, only Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors in 2018 and 2025 had won the title with five or more games left before Seoul did it this weekend.
A draw in front of 30,000
There were 30,022 fans in the stadium. Seoul went ahead in the 58th minute when Moon Seon-min scored from Anderson's pass. Gangwon equalised seven minutes later through Kang Jun-hyuk. Seoul goalkeeper Ku Sung-yun also saved a Gangwon penalty. The penalty had been given against defender Kim Jin-su for a sliding challenge.
A point was enough, because Ulsan also dropped points against Pohang.
A team, not a collection of stars
This is the seventh top-flight title in the club's history, counting the years when it played as Anyang LG, and the first since 2016. Korean media pointed out that it came after well-known names had left. Former England midfielder Jesse Lingard left before this season, and club favourite Ki Sung-yueng moved to Pohang, which upset some supporters.
Under coach Kim Ki-dong, Seoul have built their success on defence. Before this round they had conceded 26 goals, the fewest in the league, and Ku had the best save percentage of any goalkeeper. Moon has been an effective substitute.
Malaysian link: Gangwon host Kuching City
Gangwon's next game connects the result to Malaysian football. This week they host Kuching City in Group H of the AFC Champions League Two, with the game listed for 29 October. Gangwon have one point from two group games and have not won yet. They also came out of Saturday's match with injury worries, as two players were hurt against Seoul. Kuching City also have one point, after losing to Phnom Penh Crown and drawing with Kitchee.
Key takeaways
- FC Seoul 1-1 Gangwon: Moon Seon-min scored for Seoul and Kang Jun-hyuk for Gangwon.
- Ulsan HD's 2-2 draw with Pohang left Seoul 16 points clear with five games remaining.
- It is Seoul's first K League 1 title since 2016 and their seventh overall.
- Seoul are the third team to clinch with at least five games left under the split format.
- Gangwon host Malaysia's Kuching City in the ACL Two this week.
FAQ
How did FC Seoul clinch the title? Seoul drew 1-1 with Gangwon and Ulsan drew 2-2 with Pohang. That left Seoul 16 points ahead with five games left, more than Ulsan can make up.
When did FC Seoul last win the K League? In 2016. The 2026 title is the club's seventh top-flight championship.
Who do Gangwon play next in Asia? They host Malaysian club Kuching City in AFC Champions League Two Group H, with the game listed for 29 October.
Sources: Korea JoongAng Daily, The Korea Times, SBS, Star News Korea, Makanbola, beIN Sports