Hong Myung-Bo Resigns as South Korea Coach After World Cup Exit

Hong Myung-Bo resigned as the head coach of South Korea's national football team after their elimination from the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where they finished third in their group behind Mexico and South Africa. The team began the tournament with a 2-1 victory over Czechia but suffered back-to-back 1-0 defeats against Mexico and South Africa, ending their hopes of advancing to the knockout stage.

Hong's decision to step down came amid mounting pressure due to the team's poor performance and controversial tactics, including the decision to bench captain Son Heung-Min during the critical match against South Africa. This decision drew widespread criticism from fans and analysts alike.

The public outrage reached a peak, prompting South Korean President Lee Jae-Myung to condemn the team's early exit and apologize to citizens, describing it as unacceptable. The Korea Football Association is expected to begin the search for a new head coach to rebuild the national team and restore confidence ahead of future international competitions.