Hong Myung-bo Steps Down After South Korea’s Early World Cup Exit

Hong Myung-bo has resigned as South Korea's national football coach after their early exit from the 2026 World Cup, sparking political and public outcry.

The 2026 World Cup has taken an unexpected turn for South Korea, culminating in the resignation of head coach Hong Myung-bo. The nation’s early exit from the tournament has sent shockwaves through the football community and political sphere alike.

The team’s hopes of advancing as one of the best third-placed teams were dashed on Saturday, leading to widespread criticism and calls for accountability. President Lee Jae Myung has even called for an investigation into the team’s underwhelming performance.

The Fallout from South Korea’s Early Exit

The South Korean team, ranked 32nd by FIFA and led by star player Son Heung-min entered the World Cup with high hopes. However, their campaign ended in disappointment with two losses and just one win, placing them behind Mexico and South Africa in Group A.

The final nail in the coffin was their 1-0 loss to South Africa on Thursday. Despite a new rule allowing the eight best third-placed teams to progress, South Korea’s final scores were not enough to secure a spot in the knockout round. This outcome has left fans and officials alike searching for answers.

The Controversial Appointment of Hong Myung-bo

Hong Myung-bo’s tenure as head coach has been marred by controversy from the outset. A hero of South Korea’s 2002 World Cup success, Hong’s previous stint as coach in ended in failure, with the team failing to win a single match. His reappointment in 2026 was met with harsh criticism, with many fans accusing the Korean Football Association (KFA) of favoritism.

Hong acknowledged the challenges of his appointment, stating that “accepting the job was not an easy choice.” He defended his decisions, asserting that they were made with Korean football in mind. However, the public’s anger has only intensified following the team’s early exit.

The Public and Political Response

The national team’s official fan club, the Red Devils issued a scathing statement calling on Hong to “kneel before the entire nation and leave the football world forever.” The public’s outrage has been palpable, with death threats even being made against Hong, prompting police to increase security measures.

President Lee Jae Myung has added his voice to the criticism, expressing “not just confusion but utter bewilderment at the unexpected outcome.” In a post on X he suggested that the early exit “appears to be a failure of organisation and personnel,” hinting at deeper issues within the team’s management.

As South Korea grapples with the aftermath of their World Cup disappointment, the focus now shifts to the future of their national football team and the lessons that can be learned from this tumultuous chapter.