The much-anticipated East Asian derby between South Korea and Japan is set to return to Korean soil for the first time in six years – but it will take place without Tottenham Hotspur star Son Heung-min.

The 2025 EAFF E-1 Championship, commonly known as the East Asian Cup, will run from July 7 to 16 across three host cities in South Korea: Yongin, Suwon, and Hwaseong. It marks the first time since the 2019 edition in Busan that the tournament will be held in Korea, and will feature both men’s and women’s competitions.

While the rivalry between Korea and Japan always draws intense interest, this edition comes with an important caveat – the E-1 Championship does not fall under FIFA’s official international match calendar, meaning clubs are under no obligation to release players. As a result, European-based players – including many household names – are unlikely to take part.

Korea vs Japan Set for July 15 in Yongin

The flagship fixture of the men’s tournament, Korea vs Japan, will take place on July 15 at Yongin Mireu Stadium, a venue that will host all men’s matches. This marks the first senior men’s clash between the two sides in Korea since 2019, and comes three years after their last meeting at the 2022 edition held in Japan.

South Korea, led by manager Hong Myung-bo, will kick off the tournament against China on July 7 at 8pm, followed by a clash with Hong Kong on July 11, before the much-anticipated final fixture against Japan.

The men’s tournament, now in its 10th edition, will feature Korea, Japan, China, and Hong Kong (who qualified through the preliminary round). Korea is the tournament’s most successful nation with five titles, while Japan are the reigning champions.

 No Stars, But a Stage for New Faces

With no mandatory player release clause in place, Korea and Japan will rely heavily on domestic and Asian-based players, making the tournament an opportunity to identify and test emerging talents ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

South Korea is expected to assemble a squad largely made up of K League-based players, with some younger prospects also set to be evaluated.

Japan, however, faces a more complex dilemma. With over 50 Japanese players active in Europe, head coach Hajime Moriyasu is reportedly considering requesting special releases from European clubs for fringe players who have yet to be called up to the senior national team. Japanese media have suggested this could create a unique opportunity for lesser-known players based in Europe to break into the Samurai Blue setup.

“While Japan’s elite Europe-based stars are likely to sit this one out, the inclusion of untested talent from European leagues could add a fresh dynamic to this rivalry,” noted Football-Asian.com.

 Women’s Tournament: New Faces as North Korea Withdraws

The women’s competition will take place on July 9, 13, and 16, featuring Korea, Japan, China, and Taiwan – who replace North Korea after their late withdrawal. Matches will be split between Suwon World Cup Stadium and Hwaseong Stadium, with Korea’s pivotal clash against Japan on July 13 set for Hwaseong.

Japan has dominated the women’s edition with four titles, while Korea will look to make use of home advantage and assess key players ahead of future continental competitions.

 Full Men’s Match Schedule (All at Yongin Mireu Stadium)

• July 7: Korea vs China (20:00 KST)

• July 8: Japan vs Hong Kong

• July 11: Korea vs Hong Kong

• July 12: Japan vs China

• July 15: China vs Hong Kong / Korea vs Japan (double-header)

Full Women’s Match Schedule

• July 9: Korea vs China / Japan vs Taiwan (Suwon WC Stadium)

• July 13: Korea vs Japan / China vs Taiwan (Hwaseong Stadium)

• July 16: Korea vs Taiwan / Japan vs China (Suwon WC Stadium)

Despite the absence of global stars like Son Heung-min, the 2025 EAFF E-1 Championship offers a vital platform for squad development, tactical experimentation, and regional bragging rights. With both Korea and Japan seeking to fine-tune their teams for the 2026 World Cup, this summer’s East Asian Cup could prove to be more than just a regional tournament – it could be the beginning of a generational shift.