South Korea Crash Out of World Cup in Humiliation; Coach Resigns

South Korea suffered a humiliating early exit from the 2026 World Cup, dashing hopes of a deep run for a team that once reached the semifinals in 2002. Head coach Hong Myung-bo resigned immediately after a stunning 1-0 defeat to South Africa on June 25, a result that came when the team needed only a single point to secure a place in the round of 32.

The backlash from officials and fans has been fierce. President Lee Jae-myung slammed the team for lacking competence and issued a public apology to the nation. He called for an investigation into the reasons behind the failure, citing the public's simmering frustration with the country's football leadership.

Captain Son Heung-min was benched for the decisive match against South Africa, a controversial decision by Hong. Earlier, South Korea had beaten the Czech Republic 2-1 in their opener but lost 0-1 to Mexico, leaving them in a precarious position. The defeat to South Africa sealed their elimination, although a mathematical glimmer of hope remained from other results.

“Perhaps we saw this outcome coming years ago,” said former captain Park Ji-sung, the ex-Manchester United star, after the team was eliminated. “We need to look back and ask ourselves how it came to this. Despite spending a decade learning how to prepare for the World Cup and develop Korean football, we have forgotten those lessons once again.”

Former international Lee Chun-soo, a member of the 2002 squad, admitted on his YouTube channel: “I felt pathetic and frustrated cheering for Uzbekistan against Congo, just hoping that result would help South Korea advance. This is a message for change. People should be ready to resign.”

Hong Myung-bo had been under fire since he returned to lead the national team in July 2024, replacing the sacked Jurgen Klinsmann. The process of his appointment was questioned over transparency and fairness. He was frequently jeered by fans, and his decision to bench Son Heung-min for the final group match was widely seen as a major mistake.

Korea Football Association (KFA) President Chung Mong-gyu has also faced the brunt of public anger. He had previously announced he would step down after the World Cup, citing a “lack of virtue” after 13 years in charge, amid criticism over controversial decisions, including pardoning players previously banned for match-fixing.

The future of captain Son Heung-min is also in doubt. The soon-to-be 34-year-old forward has hinted at retiring from international duty. Reports indicate that the KFA has no plans for a homecoming event for the team when they return on Tuesday, a move reflecting the tense atmosphere. In 2014, fans threw Korean sweets at the team upon their return from the Brazil World Cup, an act widely seen as a deep insult.

Former captain Park Ji-sung concluded: “It's a pity that this kind of cycle keeps repeating. We must dream of a better future and take steps forward to avoid repeating these mistakes.”