SEOUL, South Korea — Hong Myung-bo has stepped down as head coach of South Korea’s men’s national football team following the country’s disappointing exit from the 2026 FIFA World Cup group stage.
His resignation came after South Korea’s hopes of progressing as one of the tournament’s best third-placed teams were extinguished, prompting widespread criticism from fans and political leaders back home.
Speaking at a news conference in western Mexico on Sunday, Hong accepted full responsibility for the team’s campaign.
“The responsibility rests entirely with me as head coach,” he said, apologising to supporters after the team’s elimination.
South Korea, ranked 32nd in the FIFA world rankings and captained by Son Heung-min, finished third in Group A after registering one win and two defeats. They ended behind Mexico and South Africa, ranked 15th and 60th respectively.
Their final group-stage match, a 1-0 defeat to South Africa on Thursday, left them relying on results elsewhere to secure one of the eight knockout places reserved for the best third-placed teams under the expanded 48-team World Cup format. Those hopes were dashed on Saturday.
Addressing reporters after announcing his resignation, Hong admitted the team had fallen short of expectations.
“We didn’t deliver the results that our fans expected,” Hong Myung-bo said.
“Even though I am leaving the national team, I am not abandoning Korean football altogether,” Hong added. “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.”
The early exit has also drawn a sharp reaction from South Korean President Lee Jae-myung, who called for an investigation into the team’s performance.
In a post on X, Lee said he felt “not just confusion but utter bewilderment at the unexpected outcome.”
The president argued that the team’s elimination “appears to be a failure of organisation and personnel.”
“When favouritism and cronyism take precedence over competence in selecting a commander, the result is as predictable as fire burning paper,” he wrote.
Hong’s appointment in 2024 had been controversial from the outset. The former defender captained South Korea to a historic semi-final finish at the 2002 World Cup and remains one of the country’s football icons. However, his previous spell as head coach during the 2014 World Cup ended in a group-stage exit without a single victory.
His return to the role sparked criticism from supporters, many of whom accused the Korea Football Association of overlooking foreign candidates in favour of an established figure.
Reflecting on his decision to take the job, Hong acknowledged the challenges he faced.
“Accepting the job was not an easy choice,” he said.
“I cannot say every decision has been the right one, but I can tell you that I have made every decision with Korean football in mind,” he added.
Meanwhile, South Korean police said they are monitoring potential security threats at Incheon International Airport and other locations after an online death threat targeting Hong surfaced ahead of his return from Mexico, according to local media.