South Korea's World Cup Disappointment Leads to Coach Resignation

South Korea's FIFA World Cup 2026 Exit Sparks Controversy

The recent exit of South Korea from the group stage of the FIFA World Cup 2026 has drawn sharp criticism from President Lee Jae Myung, who has called for an investigation into the team's underwhelming performance. This led to the resignation of head coach Hong Myung-bo, marking a disappointing end to his second term in charge. Previously, Hong had also faced criticism for not advancing beyond the group stage during the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

Entering the FIFA World Cup 2026, South Korea had high hopes of moving past Group A, which included co-hosts Mexico, South Africa, and Czechia. Unfortunately, they suffered narrow defeats of 1-0 against both South Africa and Mexico, before managing a 2-1 victory over Czechia, which was insufficient for progression to the knockout stage.

In a press conference held in Mexico following his resignation, Hong reflected on the challenging decisions he faced during his tenure. He stated, "Throughout the past two years, I consistently questioned whether my choices were in the best interest of Korean football." He acknowledged that not every decision was perfect but emphasized that his intentions were always focused on the betterment of the sport in Korea.

President Lee's Strong Reaction

President Lee Jae Myung expressed his dissatisfaction with the team's performance shortly before Hong's resignation. He criticized the football administration, stating, "When loyalty and factionalism take precedence over competence, the results are predictable." He apologized to the public for the disappointment caused by the team's performance and pledged to implement reforms in sports administration to prevent future failures.

Throughout his second term, Hong faced increasing criticism, particularly for his decision to bench star player Son Heung-min during the crucial match against South Africa, which South Korea needed only a draw to advance. Despite stepping down, Hong conveyed a heartfelt message, expressing his continued support for the national team and hope for their future success.

Historically, South Korea's most notable World Cup achievement occurred in 2002 when they co-hosted the tournament and reached the semifinals, defeating football powerhouses Italy and Spain before losing to Germany.