Hong Myung-bo has resigned as head coach of the South Korean national football team following their elimination in the group stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America. He becomes the fourth manager to leave their post after poor tournament performances.
World Cup Campaign Ends in Disappointment
South Korea started their World Cup 2026 campaign with a promising 2-1 victory over Czechia, but subsequent losses to Mexico and South Africa, both 1-0, sealed their fate. The team failed to finish among the top eight third-place group finishers, leading to an early exit that sparked widespread anger among fans.
Many had expected South Korea to advance to the knockout rounds for the first time since 2010. Instead, the team's performance against South Africa was described as "lifeless" and "one of the worst displays by a Korean team in World Cup history," according to a fan petition.
Fan Petition and Presidential Probe
Fans reacted to the premature exit by starting a petition calling for Hong's removal and reform of the national team. The petition criticized the Korea Football Association's selection process, stating that "the official selection process was effectively ignored, making it difficult to avoid criticism that the appointment was fundamentally illegitimate." It also noted that despite fielding "the strongest squad in Korea's World Cup history," the team finished with one win and two losses.
South Korean President Lee Jae-myung expressed his shock and ordered an investigation into the reasons behind the early exit. In a post on X, he wrote: "I am not just taken aback by this unexpected outcome, I am utterly baffled. Once again, it has been proven that personnel decisions are everything. When loyalty and factionalism are valued over competence, and an incapable person is appointed as a leader, the outcome is as predictable as fire."
Hong's Resignation and Response
In a press conference in Mexico on Sunday, Hong confirmed his resignation. "Even though I am leaving the national team, I am not abandoning Korean football altogether," he said. "I will cheer for the national team from the bottom of my heart and hope that the team will be trusted and loved by the people once again."
Hong's popularity had plummeted so low that he was reportedly banned from various shops and restaurants in South Korea. This was his second stint as national team boss, having previously guided South Korea to the 2014 World Cup before resigning. His reappointment in 2024 sparked allegations of favouritism and lack of transparency in the hiring process, which he denied.
Impact on South Korean Football
Hong's resignation marks a tumultuous period for South Korean football. The presidential probe and fan petitions highlight deep-seated issues within the Korea Football Association regarding selection and accountability. As the team looks ahead to future competitions, the search for a new manager will be closely watched both domestically and internationally.
