American-born Cassie Phair made history as the youngest player ever to compete in the Women’s World Cup, achieving the milestone just 26 days after celebrating her 16th birthday.
South Korean forward Phair came on as a 78th-minute substitute during the team’s 2-0 loss against Colombia in Sydney. Her achievement eclipsed the previous record set by Nigeria’s Ifeanyi Chiejine, who was 16 years and 34 days during the 1999 Women’s World Cup.
The Group H match not only witnessed Phair’s record-setting performance but also marked another milestone as she created the biggest age gap between teammates in the history of the Women’s World Cup. With 22 years and 256 days between Fehr and South Korean goalkeeper Kim Jong-mi, the age difference stands as an impressive distinction in this prestigious tournament, as reported by FIFA.
Fehr’s selection for the Korean World Cup squad is of particular significance as she is the first player of mixed heritage to be selected. After his announcement, South Korea coach Colin Bell stressed the importance of shielding young talent from the intense scrutiny of the public eye.
Looking ahead, South Korea take on Morocco in Adelaide on Sunday. The young forward’s performances have captured the attention of football fans around the world, and her presence at the tournament has added to the diversity and talent on display at the Women’s World Cup.
