South Korea’s defender #03 Lee Gi-hyuk reacts after his staff misplaced the 2026 World Cup Group A soccer match between South Africa and South Korea on the Monterrey Stadium in Guadalupe, Mexico, on June 24, 2026. — AFPÂ
SEOUL: South Korea’s dismal World Cup first-round exit has sparked fury at house and calls for a whole overhaul on the high haven’t been silenced by coach Hong Myung-bo’s resignation.
South Korea, World Cup semi-finalists as co-hosts in 2002, limped out of the event after failing to squeeze into the knockout rounds as one of many high eight third-place finishers.
That they had the final 32 inside their attain solely to undergo a shock 1-0 loss to lower-ranked South Africa.
Their early exit prompted coach Hong to give up on Sunday and forged doubt over the worldwide way forward for captain Son Heung-min.
It additionally earned the staff a rebuke from the nation’s president Lee Jae Myung, who pointed the finger at “incompetent people” and apologised to the nation.
The president’s feedback mirror public anger that has reached boiling level after years of simmering discontent at South Korean soccer chiefs.
Former captain Park Ji-sung stated, “We may have expected this outcome years ago.”
“We have to look back and ask ourselves why things have come to this,” the previous Manchester United participant stated after the staff’s elimination was confirmed.
“Even after spending a decade learning how to prepare for the World Cup and develop Korean football, we have forgotten those lessons once again.”
South Korea have been anticipated to get out of a Group A that included co-hosts Mexico, plus South Africa and the Czech Republic.
They began with a 2-1 win over the Czechs however misplaced 1-0 to Mexico earlier than flopping in opposition to South Africa.
The staff have been anticipated to reach house on Tuesday morning however native media reported that the Korea Soccer Affiliation (KFA) weren’t planning to organise an occasion to welcome them again.
In 2014, indignant followers pelted the staff with Korean candies after they returned from the World Cup in Brazil, the place they went out within the group stage throughout Hong’s first spell as coach.
‘Message to vary’
Hong has been a lightning rod for criticism since he returned to the job in July 2024, 5 months after his predecessor, German World Cup-winner Jurgen Klinsmann, was axed.
South Korea’s head coach Hong Myung-bo talks to his gamers throughout a hydration break of the 2026 World Cup Group A soccer match between South Africa and South Korea on the Monterrey Stadium in Guadalupe, Mexico, on June 24, 2026. — AFP
The KFA got here below hearth for the method that led to Hong’s reappointment, with questions requested over its transparency and equity.
Hong, who was often booed by followers, did himself no favours on the World Cup by dropping star participant Son for the South Africa sport, during which South Korea wanted solely a degree to progress.
Hong admitted afterwards that he was struggling to know what had gone improper, because the nation nervously waited for leads to different video games to resolve their destiny.
Lee Chun-soo, a member of the 2002 World Cup staff, stated he “felt pathetic and frustrated rooting for Uzbekistan” in opposition to the Democratic Republic of Congo within the hope that the outcome would ship South Korea via.
“This is a message to change,” Lee stated on his YouTube channel.
“Everyone should be ready to step down.”
South Korean followers reserved a sizeable chunk of their anger for KFA president Chung Mong-gyu.
Chung stated earlier than the World Cup that he would give up after the event, blaming his “lack of virtue” following fierce criticism of his 13-year tenure.
The 65-year-old, who’s in his fourth time period as KFA president, got here below hearth for making an attempt to pardon former gamers who have been banned for all times for match-fixing.
Chung and Hong may not be the one ones to bow out, with captain Son but to touch upon his future.
The skipper, who turns 34 subsequent month, had beforehand hinted at retiring from worldwide soccer.
Former captain Park stated South Korea wanted to be taught from the previous.
“It’s unfortunate that this kind of cycle keeps repeating,” he stated.
“We must dream of and shape a better future, and move forward step by step so that we don’t repeat these mistakes.”
