Hong Myung-bo resigns as South Korea coach after FIFA World Cup 2026 group-stage exit

Hong Myung-bo is one of South Korea's most renowned football figures, having captained the team to the 2002 FIFA World Cup semifinals, but he has been under fire over the country's early exit from the 2026 edition

Mexico City: Hong Myungbo announced he will be stepping down as South Korea coach, the day after it was confirmed that the team had failed to make it past the group stage of the FIFA World Cup 2026 as one of the best third-placed teams.Suite à la défaite choc de la #Corée du Sud contre l’Afrique du Sud à la Coupe du Monde 2026, la chaîne KBS furieuse du fiasco, le média a été jusqu'à flouter comme un criminel le visage du sélectionneur Hong Myung-bo. pic.twitter.com/dwBYBq8l7G— AsieNews (@AsiaNews_FR) June 28, 2026 Korea opened their campaign with a 2-1 victory over Czechia but then suffered successive 1-0 defeats to Mexico and South Africa. Their fate was out of their hands as the group stage concluded on June 28 (IST).Hong, who had been in charge since 2024, said he took “all responsibilities” for the team's unsuccessful World Cup, which came after an unbeaten qualifying campaign for the global showpiece."To all of the Korean people who love and support our national team, I would like to genuinely apologise. Today, I'd like to announce that I will step down as the national team head coach," Hong said in a press conference.Hong Myung-bo Announces Resignation:"I deeply apologize to the Korean public who supported our team. Today, I am stepping down. 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." pic.twitter.com/92FE51e6ge— Korea Football News (@KORFootballNews) June 28, 2026 "It was not an easy decision for me to take this role, but once I took it, I thought about nothing else except being responsible until the very last moment. I believed that was the only way for me to work."Hong, 57, led South Korea to 15 wins, five draws and six losses after taking charge for a second time in 2024. He also led the national team in 2013 and 2014, having turned to management in 2009 following a playing career that included 136 caps for South Korea. Hong Myung-bo has resigned as South Korea head coach following their disappointing World Cup elimination He said: "I failed to deliver what you expected, and all blame lies with me... I leave my post today, but my heart stays with Korean football." pic.twitter.com/u1m9rHdY2u— Spurs Insight (@SpursInsight_) June 28, 2026 "As the head coach, no explanation can supersede the ultimate result. I could not bring the result that our people had expected. All responsibilities are with me. I want to thank our coaches and staff who worked with me with one common goal."I step down as the national team head coach. However, my heart for Korean football will remain the same. I will now support Korea national team to regain the trust and love of our people, he added.(Except for the headline, this article has not been edited by FPJ's editorial team and is auto-generated from an agency feed.)

Hong was appointed in July 2024 as the long-term successor to Juergen Klinsmann and guided South Korea to a record-extending 11th consecutive FIFA World Cup appearance.

South Korea coach Hong Myung-bo resigned Sunday after the team’s quick exit from the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

ZAPOPAN, Mexico — Hong Myung-bo resigned as head coach of the Korean men's national football team Sunday, a day after the country's elimination from the ongoing FIFA World Cup. Hong, 57, made the announcement at a press conference at the team's training site in Zapopan, western Mexico. He was hired in July 2024 for his second tour of duty and his contract was to run through the 2027 Asian Football Confederation Asian Cup, set to run from January to February next year. At the World Cup, Korea finished third in Group A with three points from a win and two losses. They harbored hopes of sneaking into the round of 32 as one of the eight best third-place teams, but fell out of the picture Saturday, the final day of the group stage. Hong also failed to get Korea past the group stage at his first World Cup as head coach in 2014.