Korea’s national football team head coach Hong Myung-bo wears a somber expression during the team's 2026 FIFA World Cup Group A match against South Africa at Estadio de Monterrey, Mexico, Wednesday (local time). Yonhap
Korea’s failure to reach the round of 32 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup has unleashed a wave of fury back home. Fans and experts say the result was not a sudden collapse but the inevitable outcome of years of mismanagement, elitism and controversy surrounding the Korea Football Association (KFA).
The team, led by head coach Hong Myung-bo, finished third in Group A on Wednesday (local time) despite what many saw as the “easiest” World Cup draw in the country’s modern football history. The team then slipped to ninth among all group runners-up, missing out on the expanded knockout stage, which allowed the top eight third-placed teams to go through.
The final blow came Saturday (local time) when the Democratic Republic of Congo beat Uzbekistan 3-1 in their last Group K match, a result that mathematically confirmed Korea’s elimination.
The manner of exit has sharpened criticism of Hong’s tactical approach and the KFA’s governance.
