South Korea Demands Change After World Cup Exit

By the Editorial Team · Tuesday, June 30, 2026

South Korea was eliminated in the group stage of the World Cup after a 1-0 loss to South Africa, leading to the resignation of head coach Hong Myung-bo amid widespread criticism of team management. This early exit has sparked calls for major reforms within South Korea’s football leadership, with public and official backlash pressuring the Korea Football Association’s president to step down.

South Korea’s early elimination from the World Cup has triggered widespread disappointment and calls for significant leadership changes within the country’s football establishment. The team exited the tournament at the group stage, failing to advance to the knockout rounds after a surprise 1-0 defeat to South Africa, a lower-ranked opponent. Their exit marked a stark contrast to their 2002 World Cup performance, where they reached the semi-finals as co-hosts.

Following the loss, head coach Hong Myung-bo resigned on Sunday, casting uncertainty over the future of team captain Son Heung-min. Hong's decision came amid mounting criticism of his leadership, particularly after he controversially dropped Son for the crucial match against South Africa—an outcome that sealed the team's early exit. Hong admitted to struggling with understanding the reasons behind South Korea’s underperformance.

The disappointment has sparked backlash from both fans and officials. South Korean President Lee Jae Myung expressed frustration with the football authorities, condemning “incompetent people” and apologizing to the nation for the team’s failure. Lee’s remarks reflect a broader public outrage rooted in years of dissatisfaction with the Korea Football Association (KFA) leadership.

Former national team captain Park Ji-sung echoed these sentiments, suggesting that the outcome was foreseeable. “We may have expected this outcome years ago,” said Park, who played at Manchester United. He highlighted the need for introspection and learning from past experiences, noting that lessons from previous World Cups have once again been overlooked.

South Korea, placed in Group A alongside co-host Mexico, South Africa, and the Czech Republic, began their campaign with a 2-1 victory over the Czech Republic but subsequently lost 1-0 to Mexico and then to South Africa. These results fell short of expectations that the team would advance from the group stage, particularly given their successful history and the relative ranking of their opponents.

The team’s return to South Korea was met with anticipation, though local media reported that the KFA planned no formal welcome event. This contrasts with the 2014 World Cup, when fans greeted the team with hostility upon their exit in the group phase. The current mood appears similarly unforgiving.

Hong’s second tenure as coach began in July 2024, following the dismissal of former German World Cup winner Jurgen Klinsmann five months earlier. Hong’s appointment faced criticism over the transparency and fairness of the selection process. Fan discontent culminated in boos during matches, underscoring widespread dissatisfaction.

Former player Lee Chun-soo, part of the 2002 squad, expressed his frustration and called for wholesale change. “This is a message to change,” Lee said on his YouTube channel. “Everyone should be ready to step down.” Fans and commentators have also targeted KFA president Chung Mong-gyu, who announced his intention to resign after the tournament amid harsh criticism of his 13-year leadership.

As South Korean football faces a moment of reckoning, stakeholders and supporters alike grapple with how to rebuild and restore confidence following a disappointing World Cup campaign.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.