World Cup 2026: South Korea president calls for government investigation into team's early exit, head coach Hong Myung-bo resigns

Following South Korea’s elimination from the 2026 World Cup after losing to South Africa, 1-0, on Wednesday, Taegeuk Warriors head coach Hong Myung-bo announced he is stepping down from his position.

The resignation comes amid South Korea president Lee Jae Myung calling for the government’s sports ministry to investigate the team’s World Cup results and the process by which Hong was hired.

“As a former honorary professional soccer club manager and a heartfelt Red Devil, I feel not just confusion but utter bewilderment at this unexpected outcome,” Lee said in a statement posted to social media.

In the end, it’s proven once again that personnel is everything,” he added. “When favoritism and cronyism take precedence over competence in selecting a commander, the result is as predictable as fire burning paper.”

South Korea won its first two matches in Group A — 1-0 over El Salvador and 2-1 versus Czechia — but lost its next two games, 1-0 to Mexico and 1-0 to South Africa. The Taegeuk Warriors earned only three points in group play and their failure to advance to the knockout round was confirmed after Saturday’s results.

With the victory over South Korea, Bafana Bafana advanced to the Round of 32 for the first time in the country’s World Cup history. In its previous group stage matches, South Africa lost to Mexico 2-0 and played a 1-1 draw with Czechia.

Hong likely didn’t help his perception among South Korea’s supporters by deciding to keep Son Heung-min out of the starting lineup versus South Africa. The coach said after the match that his intent was to put his star player in later when the opponent was tired. Yet Hong substituted Son in at the beginning of the second half, after both teams were rested.

The coach admitted afterward that he would not have made the same decision with Son if he had the opportunity to do so again.

“I deeply apologize to the Korean public who supported our team. Today, I am stepping down” Hong said in a statement. “Taking this job was never an easy choice, but from the moment I accepted it, my only focus was to fulfill my duties responsibly until the end.”

Outrage in South Korea over the national team not advancing to the Round of 32 was so high that the Korean Broadcasting System reportedly blurred out Hong’s face during his press conference after the loss to South Africa, according to Goal.com.

President Lee also cited the use of taxpayer dollars in funding the national soccer team’s efforts in calling for the government to review the disappointing World Cup performance.

“Given that significant national taxpayer funds and state support resources are invested even in World Cup participation, I ask that the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism meticulously address the precise circumstances of this incident, analyze its causes, and develop thorough measures for preventing recurrence and improvement,” Lee said.

“I am deeply sorry for causing such profound disappointment to the public over this absurd affair,” he continued. “We will swiftly push forward with reforms to sports administration to ensure such a thing never happens again.”

Considered one of the greatest Asian players and defenders ever, Hong played in four Cups for South Korea from 1990 to 2002. He was first named coach of the national team in 2014, but resigned after South Korea went winless in the World Cup that year.

Hong was named head coach again in 2024 amid controversy. The sports ministry alleged that the Korea Football Association disregarded its own rules in hiring Hong, which did not involve “a reasonable interview process,” according to Reuters.

Read More