South Korean football continues to face growing turmoil following the national team’s disappointing exit from the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Former head coach Hong Myung-bo has left South Korea for the United States as public backlash intensifies and government officials move forward with an investigation into both the team’s early elimination and the process that led to his appointment.
South Korea entered the World Cup with expectations of advancing from a favorable group but failed to reach the knockout stage after defeats to Mexico and South Africa. The disappointing campaign triggered widespread criticism from supporters and placed Hong under immense pressure, ultimately leading to his resignation.
The situation quickly escalated beyond football.
President Lee Jae Myung publicly questioned the circumstances surrounding Hong’s return as national team manager in 2024, criticizing what he described as an appointment process that prioritized favoritism over competence. In response, he instructed the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to conduct a full investigation into the hiring process, the team’s World Cup failure, and whether structural reforms are necessary within South Korean football.
Hong’s departure from the country comes amid an increasingly hostile environment.
According to multiple reports, the former coach received death threats following South Korea’s elimination. Public anger intensified in the days after the tournament, with petitions demanding accountability, protests directed at football officials, and even businesses displaying signs refusing service to Hong. Those security concerns ultimately prompted his decision to travel to the United States.
Hong accepted responsibility for the team’s performances before stepping down, acknowledging that the results fell well short of expectations. His second tenure as South Korea manager ends much like his first World Cup campaign in 2014, when the nation also failed to advance beyond the group stage.
The focus now shifts to the Korea Football Association.
Beyond appointing a new head coach, federation officials will have to answer questions about the decision-making process that brought Hong back to the national team in the first place. The government investigation could also place additional scrutiny on senior football administrators responsible for the appointment.
For South Korea, the disappointment extends far beyond one tournament.
What began as a failed World Cup campaign has developed into one of the biggest crises in the country’s modern football history. With political leaders now involved and public confidence badly shaken, rebuilding trust may prove to be just as difficult as rebuilding the national team itself.
