South Korea head coach Hong Myung-bo has resigned with immediate effect following his team’s disappointing exit from the 2026 FIFA World Cup, according to reports from Yonhap News Agency.
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The 57-year-old stepped down less than 24 hours after South Korea’s elimination was confirmed, bringing an early end to his second spell in charge of the national team despite being under contract until the 2027 AFC Asian Cup.
South Korea began their World Cup campaign on a positive note with a 2-1 comeback victory over the Czech Republic but suffered defeats to Mexico and South Africa in their remaining Group A fixtures. The results left them hoping to qualify as one of the tournament’s best third-placed teams, but they narrowly missed out.
The team’s early exit has sparked widespread criticism across the country. Following the defeat to South Africa, broadcaster KBS reportedly blurred Hong’s face during his post-match press conference in a symbolic show of frustration, reports Talk sport.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has also reacted strongly, calling for a full investigation into the national team’s failure. In a statement, he described the result as “utterly baffling” and questioned the decision-making behind the team’s leadership and preparations.
The president urged the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to examine the circumstances surrounding the campaign, identify the causes of the failure, and recommend measures to prevent a repeat in future tournaments.
Hong previously resigned after South Korea’s group-stage exit at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, making this the second time he has stepped down following an unsuccessful World Cup campaign.
