South Korea’s 2026 World Cup campaign has ended in absolute turmoil. Coach Hong Myong-bo was booed fiercely by South Korean fans as soon as he landed at the airport.
The squad returned to a hostile reception at Incheon International Airport on Tuesday. Outraged fans gathered to jeer the team, displaying banners declaring “Korean football is dead.” Anticipating the public anger, the Korea Football Association canceled all planned welcoming ceremonies.
South Korean President Lee Jae-myung expressed deep astonishment at the poor results and called for an official investigation into the team’s performance.
Head coach Hong Myung-bo officially resigned at a press conference in Mexico, taking full accountability for the team’s early group-stage exit.
The national team finished third in Group A with just three points, securing a lone 2-1 victory over Czechia before suffering consecutive 1-0 defeats to Mexico and South Africa. The poor showing left them tenth among third-placed teams, failing to secure a spot in the Round of 32.