PURPOSE This study aims to analyze the competitive advantages of Japanese and South Korean national football teams using the value, rarity, imitability, and organization (VRIO) model. Based on the results, it proposes strategies for the development of South Korean football. METHODS The research methodology is a combination of literature review, case study, and semi-structured interviews with football experts. RESULTS The Japanese football system meets all criteria of the VRIO model through its systematic youth development system, data-driven strategies, and organizational linkage between clubs and the national team, which has led to consistent performance in international tournaments. In contrast, while South Korean football possesses excellent individual player resources, it fails to fully meet the criteria of the VRIO due to a regional imbalance in the youth system, insufficient use of data, and lack of cooperation between clubs and the national team. CONCLUSIONS The interview data indicate that strengthening the youth system, adopting a data-driven approach, and improving the collaborative structure between clubs and the national team are necessary components of the development of South Korean football. This study provides specific directions for the long-term and sustainable development of South Korean football by analyzing the strategic competitiveness of national football teams in other countries using the VRIO model.
