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By Rowan Fisher-Shotton
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South Korea opened its 2026 World Cup with a 2-1 victory over Czechia on June 11 in Guadalajara, Mexico. But that was the lone high point, with the Taegeuk Warriors going on to lose their next two games. That included a 1-0 loss to co-hosts Mexico on June 18, and then a surprising 1-0 defeat to South Africa at Estadio BBVA on June 24.
Even with the loss to the African underdogs, there was still hope for South Korea heading into the final day of the opening group stages. But they missed out on a place in the knockout rounds when DR Congo defeated Uzbekistan 3-1 on Saturday. That result put South Korea out of the tournament's eight best third-place teams, sending them home with just three points and a single win.
For a team that many expected to advance deep into the tournament, the loss was humiliating, to say the least.
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On Sunday, just 24 hours after being officially eliminated from the 2026 World Cup, South Korea head coach Hong Myung-Bo resigned following heavy criticism from the country's president, Lee Jae Myung.
"Once again, it has been proven that personnel decisions determine everything. If loyalty and factionalism are valued over competence and an incapable person is appointed as a leader, the outcome is as predictable as fire," said Myung.
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Hong is considered one of the greatest Asian players and defenders of all time, having played in four World Cups for South Korea from 1990 to 2002. He famously captained the side when they made a run all the way to the semi-finals in 2002.
But this is now the second meltdown from South Korea with him as their head coach. He was first named coach in 2014, but resigned after the squad went winless in the World Cup that year. He then got the job back in July 2024, only to now be on the way out yet again.
This marks the third time in the last four World Cups where South Korea has failed to reach the knockout stages. With elite players like Son Heung-min, Kim Min-jae, Lee Jae-sung, and Lee Kang-in anchoring the squad, it's easy to see why it was such a disappointment.
"I would like to express my sincere apologies to everyone who loves Korean football and has always supported our national team," Hong said in a statement on Sunday. "Today, I have decided to step down as head coach of the Korea Republic national football team."
And just like that, the Taegeuk Warriors are back in Cheonan and on the hunt for a new head coach yet again.
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