South Korea – (Web Desk) – South Korea’s World Cup campaign ended in disappointment, and the Hong Myung-bo resignation has sent shockwaves through Korean football. The coach stepped down after his team failed to reach the knockout rounds, sparking national outrage.
South Korea were expected to cruise through Group A. They beat the Czech Republic in their opener but then lost to Mexico and suffered a shocking 1-0 defeat to lower-ranked South Africa. That loss ended their tournament.
The decision to drop captain Son Heung-min for the South Africa game drew fierce criticism. South Korea only needed a draw to advance. Fans and former players could not understand the call.
Even South Korea’s president Lee Jae Myung weighed in, apologising to the nation and blaming “incompetent people” in football management.
최휘영 장관님과 관련 공무원 여러분 애쓰셨습니다.
저도 전임 명예 프로축구단장이자 심정적 붉은악마로서 예상밖 결과에 당황을 넘어 황당함을 느낍니다.
결국 인사가 만사임이 다시 한번 증명됐습니다. 능력보다 네편내편을 더 중시해 무능한 사람을 지휘관으로 선발하면 결과는 불보듯… https://t.co/wNwtKlo1qY
— 이재명 (@Jaemyung_Lee) June 28, 2026
Former captain Park Ji-sung said the country had forgotten lessons learned over a decade of World Cup preparation. He called for a serious look at how Korean football is run from the top down.
KFA president Chung Mong-gyu had already said he would quit after the tournament. With Hong now gone too, Korean football faces a major rebuild.
Captain Son Heung-min, who turns 34 next month, has yet to speak publicly about his international future. Many fear this World Cup was his last.
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