US-born Casey Phair becomes youngest player in World Cup history

Tara Subramaniam
By Tara Subramaniam, CNN
Updated 7:36 AM EDT, Tue July 25, 2023
South Korea's Casey Phair controls the ball during the Women's World Cup Group H soccer match between Colombia and South Korea at the Sydney Football Stadium on Tuesday.
South Korea's Casey Phair controls the ball during the Women's World Cup Group H soccer match between Colombia and South Korea at the Sydney Football Stadium on Tuesday.
Rick Rycroft/AP

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CNN  — 

South Korea forward Casey Phair on Tuesday became the youngest ever player to appear at the World Cup – just 26 days after celebrating her 16th birthday.

The US-born teenager came on as a 78th minute substitute in South Korea’s 2-0 loss to Colombia in Sydney, beating the record of Nigeria’s Ifeanyi Chiejine, who was 16 years and 34 days old at the 1999 Women’s World Cup.

The Group H clash Tuesday also saw another record broken – the 22 years and 256 days between Phair and South Korean goalkeeper Kim Jung-mi is the biggest age gap between teammates in Women’s World Cup history, according to FIFA.

Spanish players celebrate after winning the Women's World Cup final on Sunday, August 20.
Spanish players celebrate after winning the Women's World Cup final on Sunday, August 20.
Maddie Meyer/FIFA/Getty Images
Spain's Eva Navarro celebrates with the Women's World Cup trophy.
Spain's Eva Navarro celebrates with the Women's World Cup trophy.
Quinn Rooney/Getty Images
Spanish players celebrate with the trophy during the post-match award ceremony.
Spanish players celebrate with the trophy during the post-match award ceremony.
Amanda Perobelli/Reuters
Players from Spain and England react after the final whistle.
Players from Spain and England react after the final whistle.
David Gray/AFP/Getty Images
Fans cheer for Spain during a broadcast of match in Barcelona.
Fans cheer for Spain during a broadcast of match in Barcelona.
Lorena Sopêna/Europa Press/AP
England captain Millie Bright looks dejected after the match. "We gave everything," she said. "First half we weren't at our best but second half we bounced back. ... We just didn't have that final edge today."
England captain Millie Bright looks dejected after the match. "We gave everything," she said. "First half we weren't at our best but second half we bounced back. ... We just didn't have that final edge today."
Asanka Brendon Ratnayake/Reuters
Players embrace at the end of the match.
Players embrace at the end of the match.
Alessandra Tarantino/AP
Spanish coach Jorge Vilda reacts as England's Lucy Bronze, left, and Spain's Mariona Caldentey compete for the ball in the second half of the final.
Spanish coach Jorge Vilda reacts as England's Lucy Bronze, left, and Spain's Mariona Caldentey compete for the ball in the second half of the final.
Hannah Mckay/Reuters
English goalkeeper Mary Earps saves a Jennifer Hermoso penalty during the second half.
English goalkeeper Mary Earps saves a Jennifer Hermoso penalty during the second half.
Mark Baker/AP
Members of the 1972 England team react while watching a live broadcast together in London.
Members of the 1972 England team react while watching a live broadcast together in London.
Lucy North/PA/Getty Images
Spain's Salma Paralluelo (No. 18) received a yellow card from referee Tori Penso after England's Alex Greenwood was hurt on a play in the second half.
Spain's Salma Paralluelo (No. 18) received a yellow card from referee Tori Penso after England's Alex Greenwood was hurt on a play in the second half.
Asanka Brendon Ratnayake/Reuters
Spanish fans celebrate as the teams leave the field at halftime.
Spanish fans celebrate as the teams leave the field at halftime.
Patrick Hoelscher/Sipa USA/AP
Spain's Olga Carmona celebrates after she scored with a left-footed shot in the 29th minute.
Spain's Olga Carmona celebrates after she scored with a left-footed shot in the 29th minute.
Elsa/FIFA/Getty Images
A shot from England's Lauren Hemp hits the crossbar in the first half.
A shot from England's Lauren Hemp hits the crossbar in the first half.
Catherine Ivill/Getty Images
Paralluelo, left, competes for the ball with Greenwood.
Paralluelo, left, competes for the ball with Greenwood.
Quinn Rooney/Getty Images
England fans cheer on the Lionesses in Sydney.
England fans cheer on the Lionesses in Sydney.
William West/AFP/Getty Images
Earps makes a save in the first half.
Earps makes a save in the first half.
Hannah Mckay/Reuters
Tennis legend Billie Jean King walks onto the pitch ahead of the final.
Tennis legend Billie Jean King walks onto the pitch ahead of the final.
Abbie Parr/AP
Players stand for the national anthems before the final.
Players stand for the national anthems before the final.
David Gray/AFP/Getty Images
Paralluelo huddles with teammates before the match.
Paralluelo huddles with teammates before the match.
Hannah Mckay/Reuters
A closing ceremony took place before the final.
A closing ceremony took place before the final.
Quinn Rooney/Getty Images
Swedish players celebrate after defeating Australia 2-0 in the <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2023/08/19/football/australia-sweden-womens-world-cup-2023-spt-intl/index.html" target="_blank">third-place playoff</a> on Saturday, August 19. Sweden also finished third in 1991, 1995 and 2019.
Swedish players celebrate after defeating Australia 2-0 in the third-place playoff on Saturday, August 19. Sweden also finished third in 1991, 1995 and 2019.
Dan Peled/Reuters
Australia fans in Brisbane show their support for their team following the loss to Sweden.
Australia fans in Brisbane show their support for their team following the loss to Sweden.
Cameron Spencer/Getty Images
Sweden's Fridolina Rolfo celebrates with teammates after scoring her team's first goal against Australia.
Sweden's Fridolina Rolfo celebrates with teammates after scoring her team's first goal against Australia.
Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
Sweden's Amanda Ilestedt and Australia's Hayley Raso compete for the ball.
Sweden's Amanda Ilestedt and Australia's Hayley Raso compete for the ball.
Amanda Perobelli/Reuters
Sweden fans show support outside the stadium before the third-place playoff match.
Sweden fans show support outside the stadium before the third-place playoff match.
Dan Peled/Reuters
Rolfo converts a penalty to give Sweden a 1-0 lead over Australia.
Rolfo converts a penalty to give Sweden a 1-0 lead over Australia.
Cameron Spencer/Getty Images
England players celebrate after their <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2023/08/15/football/australia-england-womens-world-cup-semifinal-spt-intl/index.html" target="_blank">3-1 victory over Australia</a> booked a spot in the final.
England players celebrate after their 3-1 victory over Australia booked a spot in the final.
Hannah Mckay/Reuters
Australian star Sam Kerr did everything she could to carry the Matildas, but it wasn't enough as her team fell 3-1 to England in the semifinals.
Australian star Sam Kerr did everything she could to carry the Matildas, but it wasn't enough as her team fell 3-1 to England in the semifinals.
Maddie Meyer/FIFA/Getty Images
Australia fans react in the stadium as their team falls behind late in the semifinal.
Australia fans react in the stadium as their team falls behind late in the semifinal.
Carl Recine/Reuters
England's Alessia Russo celebrates scoring the Lionesses' third goal to seal the victory against Australia.
England's Alessia Russo celebrates scoring the Lionesses' third goal to seal the victory against Australia.
Asanka Brendon Ratnayake/Reuters
English goalkeeper Mary Earps dives in vain to stop Kerr's rocket from distance — arguably the goal of the tournament.
English goalkeeper Mary Earps dives in vain to stop Kerr's rocket from distance — arguably the goal of the tournament.
Cameron Spencer/Getty Images
English midfielder Ella Toone scores the opener against Australia.
English midfielder Ella Toone scores the opener against Australia.
Brendon Thorne/Getty Images
English defender Alex Greenwood, left, battles Kerr for the ball.
English defender Alex Greenwood, left, battles Kerr for the ball.
David Gray/AFP/Getty Images
Salma Paralluelo, left, celebrates with teammates after <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2023/08/14/football/sweden-spain-womens-world-cup-semifinal-spt-intl/index.html" target="_blank">Spain defeated Sweden 2-1</a> in the semifinals on Tuesday, August 15.
Salma Paralluelo, left, celebrates with teammates after Spain defeated Sweden 2-1 in the semifinals on Tuesday, August 15.
Andrew Cornaga/AP
Swedish players are dejected following the 2-1 loss to Spain.
Swedish players are dejected following the 2-1 loss to Spain.
Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images
Sweden's Fridolina Rolfo jumps for a header with Spain's Alexia Putellas.
Sweden's Fridolina Rolfo jumps for a header with Spain's Alexia Putellas.
Alessandra Tarantino/AP
Spain fans watch the semifinal inside Eden Park in Auckland, New Zealand.
Spain fans watch the semifinal inside Eden Park in Auckland, New Zealand.
Molly Darlington/Reuters
A performer dances before the semifinal between Spain and Sweden.
A performer dances before the semifinal between Spain and Sweden.
Molly Darlington/Reuters
Alessia Russo, bottom, celebrates after scoring England's second goal in the <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2023/08/12/football/england-colombia-womens-world-cup-2023-spt-intl/index.html" target="_blank">2-1 over Colombia</a> in the quarterfinals on August 12.
Alessia Russo, bottom, celebrates after scoring England's second goal in the 2-1 over Colombia in the quarterfinals on August 12.
Carl Recine/Reuters
Colombia's Catalina Usme and Daniela Arias are dejected after the loss to England.
Colombia's Catalina Usme and Daniela Arias are dejected after the loss to England.
Maddie Meyer/FIFA/Getty Images
England's Lauren Hemp, left, and Colombia's Ana Guzman fight for the ball.
England's Lauren Hemp, left, and Colombia's Ana Guzman fight for the ball.
Izhar Khan/AFP/Getty Images
England's Chloe Kelly controls the ball.
England's Chloe Kelly controls the ball.
Carl Recine/Reuters
Leicy Santos celebrates her goal that gave Colombia a 1-0 lead against England.
Leicy Santos celebrates her goal that gave Colombia a 1-0 lead against England.
Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images
Australian players celebrate after winning a <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2023/08/11/football/australia-france-england-colombia-womens-world-cup-quarterfinal-spt-intl/index.html" target="_blank">dramatic penalty shootout</a> against France on August 12. The shootout was decided on the 20th kick.
Australian players celebrate after winning a dramatic penalty shootout against France on August 12. The shootout was decided on the 20th kick.
Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images
French goalkeeper Pauline Peyraud-Magnin punches the ball away during the quarterfinal match against Australia.
French goalkeeper Pauline Peyraud-Magnin punches the ball away during the quarterfinal match against Australia.
Tertius Pickard/AP
Australia fans show their support at Brisbane Stadium.
Australia fans show their support at Brisbane Stadium.
Asanka Brendon Ratnayake/Reuters
Australia's Mary Fowler controls the ball between France's Sakina Karchaoui and Wendie Renard.
Australia's Mary Fowler controls the ball between France's Sakina Karchaoui and Wendie Renard.
Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
French players are dejected after the match against Australia.
French players are dejected after the match against Australia.
Tertius Pickard/AP
Sweden's Filippa Angeldal, second right, celebrates after scoring a penalty against Japan on Friday, August 11. <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2023/08/11/football/japan-sweden-womens-world-cup-spt-intl/index.html" target="_blank">Sweden won 2-1</a> to book a spot in the semifinals.
Sweden's Filippa Angeldal, second right, celebrates after scoring a penalty against Japan on Friday, August 11. Sweden won 2-1 to book a spot in the semifinals.
Abbie Parr/AP
Japanese players react following the loss to Sweden.
Japanese players react following the loss to Sweden.
Abbie Parr/AP
Sweden's Amanda Ilestedt scores the first goal of the quarterfinal match against Japan.
Sweden's Amanda Ilestedt scores the first goal of the quarterfinal match against Japan.
Phil Walter/Getty Images
Japan's Risa Shimizu dribbles the ball during the match against Sweden.
Japan's Risa Shimizu dribbles the ball during the match against Sweden.
Abbie Parr/AP
Swedish captain Kosovare Asllani talks to her teammates prior to playing Japan.
Swedish captain Kosovare Asllani talks to her teammates prior to playing Japan.
Jan Kruger/FIFA/Getty Images
Spain's Salma Paralluelo celebrates after scoring in extra time during the quarterfinal clash against the Netherlands on August 11. It ended up being the winning goal as <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2023/08/10/football/spain-netherlands-japan-sweden-womens-world-cup-quarterfinals-spt-intl/index.html" target="_blank">Spain advanced with a 2-1 victory</a>.
Spain's Salma Paralluelo celebrates after scoring in extra time during the quarterfinal clash against the Netherlands on August 11. It ended up being the winning goal as Spain advanced with a 2-1 victory.
Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto/Getty Images
Esmee Brugts of the Netherlands goes for a header against Spain.
Esmee Brugts of the Netherlands goes for a header against Spain.
Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto/Getty Images
Spanish goalkeeper Cata Coll and defender Olga Carmona watch as a shot from the Netherlands' Lineth Beerensteyn goes wide during extra time.
Spanish goalkeeper Cata Coll and defender Olga Carmona watch as a shot from the Netherlands' Lineth Beerensteyn goes wide during extra time.
Alessandra Tarantino/AP
Spain's Jennifer Hermoso celebrates the victory over the Netherlands.
Spain's Jennifer Hermoso celebrates the victory over the Netherlands.
Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto/Getty Images
France's Selma Bacha, left, and Élisa De Almeida celebrate after a<a href="https://cnn.com/2023/08/07/football/colombia-jamaica-france-morocco-womens-world-cup-spt-intl/index.html" target="_blank"> 4-0 victory against Morocco</a> in the round of 16.
France's Selma Bacha, left, and Élisa De Almeida celebrate after a 4-0 victory against Morocco in the round of 16.
Maddie Meyer/FIFA/Getty Images
Morocco's Sakina Ouzraoui is consoled by France's Estelle Cascarino after the match.
Morocco's Sakina Ouzraoui is consoled by France's Estelle Cascarino after the match.
Sarah Reed/Getty Images
France's Eugénie Le Sommer heads the ball for her team's fourth goal — and her second of the match — against Morocco.
France's Eugénie Le Sommer heads the ball for her team's fourth goal — and her second of the match — against Morocco.
James Elsby/AP
Morocco's Ghizlane Chebbak and France's Sandie Toletti compete for the ball.
Morocco's Ghizlane Chebbak and France's Sandie Toletti compete for the ball.
Cameron Spencer/Getty Images
French midfielder Kenza Dali, left, celebrates with teammate Kadidiatou Diani against Morocco.
French midfielder Kenza Dali, left, celebrates with teammate Kadidiatou Diani against Morocco.
Franck Fife/AFP/Getty Images
Colombia's Daniela Arias celebrates with fans on August 8 after her team defeated Jamaica 1-0 to progress to the quarterfinals.
Colombia's Daniela Arias celebrates with fans on August 8 after her team defeated Jamaica 1-0 to progress to the quarterfinals.
Hannah Mckay/Reuters
Catalina Usme celebrates after scoring Colombia's goal against Jamaica.
Catalina Usme celebrates after scoring Colombia's goal against Jamaica.
Andrew Wiseman/DeFodi Images/Getty Images
Jamaica's Kiki Van Zanten, left, and Colombia's Carolina Arias compete for the ball.
Jamaica's Kiki Van Zanten, left, and Colombia's Carolina Arias compete for the ball.
Hamish Blair/AP
A Colombia fan soaks up the atmosphere before the match in Melbourne.
A Colombia fan soaks up the atmosphere before the match in Melbourne.
Asanka Brendon Ratnayake/Reuters
Jamaica's Jody Brown controls the ball next to Colombia's Diana Ospina Garcia.
Jamaica's Jody Brown controls the ball next to Colombia's Diana Ospina Garcia.
Robert Cianflone/Getty Images
Denmark's Amalie Vangsgaard, left, and Australia's Caitlin Foord compete for the ball during a round-of-16 match on August 7. <a href="https://edition.cnn.com/sport/live-news/england-nigeria-australia-denmark-womens-world-cup-knockout/h_96eb0aafc77d71f7b18c062bbe444f8a" target="_blank">Australia won 2-0</a> to advance to the quarterfinals.
Denmark's Amalie Vangsgaard, left, and Australia's Caitlin Foord compete for the ball during a round-of-16 match on August 7. Australia won 2-0 to advance to the quarterfinals.
Brendon Thorne/Getty Images
Australia fans wave placards during the match in Sydney. The team is nicknamed the Matildas.
Australia fans wave placards during the match in Sydney. The team is nicknamed the Matildas.
Franck Fife/AFP/Getty Images
Foord scores a goal past Denmark goalkeeper Lene Christensen.
Foord scores a goal past Denmark goalkeeper Lene Christensen.
David Gray/AFP/Getty Images
Denmark's players gather in a huddle before the match against Australia.
Denmark's players gather in a huddle before the match against Australia.
David Gray/AFP/Getty Images
England's Chloe Kelly, bottom, celebrates with teammates Mary Earps, left, and Rachel Daly after scoring the winning penalty against Nigeria in the round of 16 on August 7. <a href="https://edition.cnn.com/2023/08/06/football/england-nigeria-australia-denmark-womens-world-cup-2023-spt-intl/index.html" target="_blank">The match went to a shootout</a> after ending 0-0.
England's Chloe Kelly, bottom, celebrates with teammates Mary Earps, left, and Rachel Daly after scoring the winning penalty against Nigeria in the round of 16 on August 7. The match went to a shootout after ending 0-0.
Dan Peled/Reuters
Members of Nigeria's team react during the penalty shootout.
Members of Nigeria's team react during the penalty shootout.
Elsa/FIFA/Getty Images
England's Lauren James received a red card in the 87th minute after stepping on Michelle Alozie.
England's Lauren James received a red card in the 87th minute after stepping on Michelle Alozie.
Matt Roberts/FIFA/Getty Images
Earps makes a save against Nigeria.
Earps makes a save against Nigeria.
Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images
US players comfort one another after <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2023/08/05/football/usa-sweden-womens-world-cup-2023-spt-intl/index.html" target="_blank">being eliminated by Sweden in a penalty shootout</a> on August 6. The United States won the last two tournaments.
US players comfort one another after being eliminated by Sweden in a penalty shootout on August 6. The United States won the last two tournaments.
Quinn Rooney/Getty Images