South Korea’s World Cup exit and coaching change
Hong Myung-bo has resigned as head coach of South Korea following the team’s elimination from the 2026 World Cup. His resignation came on Sunday, a day after the team’s group-stage exit was confirmed. This marks his departure after the team failed to advance from Group A, which included co-hosts Mexico, as well as South Africa and the Czech Republic.
The team’s performance in Mexico led to significant fan anger. South Korea began their campaign with a 2-1 victory over the Czech Republic. However, they subsequently lost 1-0 to Mexico and then 1-0 to South Africa, finishing with three points in the group. This outcome meant they did not secure a place in the knockout rounds.
Hong, who previously led the team during a group-stage exit in the 2014 World Cup, faced criticism for his decisions during the tournament. Notably, he left captain Son Heung-min on the bench for the crucial match against South Africa, where South Korea needed only a draw to progress. Former Tottenham Hotspur defender Lee Young-pyo described the team’s performance in that match as “the worst match by a Korean football team in the 21st century” on television.
Following the defeat, a reporter questioned Hong about the team’s performance, suggesting it was inexplicable. Hong later stated that he would not have made the same decision regarding Son if he had the opportunity to do so again. He expressed his apologies to the Korean public, saying, “I deeply apologize to the Korean public who supported our team. Today, I am stepping down.”
Presidential reaction and calls for reform
The team’s early exit and Hong‘s resignation occurred amidst strong condemnation from South Korea‘s President Lee Jae-myung. The President issued an extraordinary statement on social media, expressing “not just confusion but utter bewilderment at the unexpected outcome.” He attributed the early exit to a “failure of organisation and personnel.”
President Lee‘s statement highlighted concerns about the selection process for leadership positions, stating, “When favouritism and cronyism take precedence over competence in selecting a commander, the result is as predictable as fire burning paper.” He also called for the government’s sports ministry to investigate the team’s World Cup results and the process by which Hong was hired.
The hiring of Hong in July 2024 by Chung Mong-gyu, president of the Korea Football Association (KFA) since 2013, had previously drawn criticism for allegedly bypassing standard hiring procedures. The Ministry of Sports conducted an investigation into the KFA, and in November 2024, recommended the suspension of Chung and other officials. However, the KFA obtained a court injunction, allowing Chung to run for and win a fourth term in February 2025.
Chung Mong-gyu, a member of the family owning Hyundai, announced in May that he would step down after the World Cup. He acknowledged the controversies and criticisms during his tenure, attributing them to his own shortcomings. The public’s anger has reportedly led to death threats against the coach, and the locations of player and staff arrivals back to South Korea were kept secret.
Future of South Korean football
The current situation has intensified discussions about the direction of South Korean football. The country’s leader, Lee Jae-myung, has pledged to “move swiftly to reform sports administration to ensure that nothing like this happens again.” The focus of public ire has largely been on the governance of the sport rather than the players themselves.
Comparisons have been drawn to Japan‘s football development, with some observing that Japan has adopted a more structured, long-term approach. While South Korea was historically a dominant force in Asian football, with the K League established as Asia‘s first professional league in 1983, there is a perception that they have fallen behind their regional rivals.
The KFA has faced scrutiny regarding its leadership and decision-making processes. With a change in coaching staff and the impending departure of the federation president, there is a recognized opportunity for significant reform within South Korean football. The pain of the 2026 World Cup exit is seen by some as a potential catalyst for a turning point for the nation’s footballing future.
Son Heung-min, who will turn 34 in July, may consider the future of his international career. The planned welcome ceremony at Incheon International Airport for the team was cancelled.
Source: bbc.co.uk